Biomimetic artificial inorganic enzyme-free self-propelled microfish robot for selective detection of Pb²⁺ in water

The availability of drinking water is of utmost importance for the world population. Anthropogenic pollutants of water, such as heavy-metal ions, are major problems in water contamination. The toxicity assays used range from cell assays to animal tests. Herein, we replace biological toxicity assays, which use higher organisms, with artificial inorganic self-propelled microtubular robots. The viability and activity of these robots are negatively influenced by heavy metals, such as Pb²⁺, in a similar manner to that of live fish models. This allows the establishment of a lethal dose (LD₅₀) of heavy metal for artificial inorganic microfish robots. The self-propelled microfish robots show specific response to Pb²⁺ compared to other heavy metals, such as Cd²⁺, and can be used for selective determination of Pb²⁺ in water. It is a first step towards replacing the biological toxicity assays with biomimetic inorganic autonomous robotic systems. How much is the fish? Artificial inorganic self-propelled microtubular robots have been used to replace heavy-metal biological toxicity assays, which use higher organisms. The viability and activity of these robots are negatively influenced by heavy metals, such as Pb²⁺, in a similar manner to that of live fish models. It is a first step towards replacing the biological toxicity assays with biomimetic inorganic autonomous robotic systems (see figure).