Microrobots could help clear ocean micro- and nano-plastics

Researchers at Brno University of Technology and Mender University in the Czech Republic have developed biohybrid microrobots, called magnetic algae robots (MARs), to remove micro- and nano-plastics from polluted water without causing further pollution. These MARs integrate algae cells with environmentally friendly magnetic nanoparticles and are responsive to external magnetic fields. The robots demonstrated a high success rate of 92% for nano plastics and 70% for microplastics in tests, offering a promising tool for actively removing plastic pollution from water bodies and contributing to environmental remediation efforts. The MARs are made using affordable materials and scalable fabrication processes. (Phys.org)