Abstract Progress in nanotechnology has enabled the synthesis of active particles that can harness chemical energy and translate it into useful work. Catalytic self-propelled motors have implications for understanding out-of-equilibrium systems and have potential applications in active transport at the nanoscale, where they can be used as motors and pumps. Although much research has been done on micron-sized motors, progress in catalytic nanomotors of sub 100 nm is still in its infancy. These nanosized motors are of great importance for future molecular transport at the cellular level because they operate at length scales at which protein motors work. This opinion article focusses on recent advances in the synthesis of catalytic nanomotors and experimental strategies to measure their self-propulsion, which differ from that of micromotors. Enzymatic and metallic nanomotors are surveyed, together with various theoretical models for self-propulsion. Solutions to current challenges are proposed, which include a chemical synthesis approach, new characterisation of motor activity and potential uses of nanomotors in nanomedicine.

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纳米级活性物质很重要：自驱动纳米电机的挑战和机遇

摘要 纳米技术的进步使合成活性粒子成为可能，这些粒子可以利用化学能并将其转化为有用的工作。催化自推进电机对理解失衡系统具有重要意义，并且在纳米级主动传输中具有潜在应用，它们可以用作电机和泵。尽管已经对微米级马达进行了大量研究，但亚 100 nm 催化纳米马达的进展仍处于起步阶段。这些纳米马达对于未来细胞水平的分子运输非常重要，因为它们在蛋白质马达工作的长度尺度上运行。这篇观点文章重点介绍了催化纳米马达合成的最新进展，以及测量其自推进力的实验策略，这与微型马达的不同。研究了酶促和金属纳米马达，以及各种自推进理论模型。提出了应对当前挑战的解决方案，其中包括化学合成方法、运动活动的新表征以及纳米马达在纳米医学中的潜在用途。