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To develop active materials that can efficiently respond to external stimuli with designed mechanical motions is one of the major obstacles that have hindered the realization of nanomachines and nanorobots. Here, we propose an innovative working mechanism that allows multifold-translational-motion control of semiconductor micro/nanomotors by AC dielectrophoresis with simple visible-light stimulation. We study the dielectrophoresis forces on semiconducting particles of various geometries in aqueous suspension by modeling with the consideration of both the Maxwell-Wagner relaxation and electrical-double-layer-charging effect. With the obtained understanding, we rationally design a manipulation system that can versatilely transport semiconductor micro/nanomotors and orient them towards desired directions at the same time by tuning the light intensity in an electric field. This research may guide the development of a new type of micro/nanomachine platform with high versatility and control. It is relevant to nanorobotics and nanodevice assembly.

To develop active nanomaterials that can instantly respond to external stimuli with designed mechanical motions is an important step towards the realization of nanomachines and nanorobots. Herein, we present our finding of a versatile working mechanism that allows instantaneous change of alignment direction and speed of semiconductor nanowires in an external electric field with simple visible-light exposure. The light induced alignment switch can be cycled over hundreds of times and programmed to express words in Morse code. With theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, the working principle can be attributed to the optically tuned real-part (in-phase) electrical polarization of a semiconductor nanowire in an aqueous suspension. The manipulation principle is exploited to create a new type of microscale stepper motor that can readily switch between in-phase and out-phase modes, and agilely operate independent of neighboring motors with patterned light. This work could inspire the development of a new type of micro/nanomachines with individual and reconfigurable maneuverability for many applications.

Solar steam generation, a sustainable water-purification technology, holds substantial promises in resolving the global issue of shortage of drinkable water. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and performance of an innovative three-dimensional (3-D) solar steamer, offering synergistic high-rate steaming and heavy metal removal functions. The device is made of synthesized carbon-molybdenum-disulfide microbeads electrostatically assembled on a 3-D polyurethane sponge. The mesoporous composite sponge also serves as a freestanding water reservoir that avoids one-side contact to bulk water, effectively suppressing the commonly observed parasitic heat loss, and offering a high energy efficiency of 88%. When being sculptured into a 3-D spoke-like structure, the composite sponge achieves one of the highest evaporation rates of 1.95 kg m-2 h-1 at 1 sun. The solar steamer is demonstrated for water treatment, i.e. decontamination of metal ions, disinfection, and reducing alkalinity and hardness of river water. Particularly, the strong mercury adsorption of MoS2 reduces Mercury from 200 to 1ppb, meeting the stringent standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency, which is the first demonstration of mercury-removal powered by solar energy. The unique design, fabrication, water-handling strategy, and mercury-removal function of this high-performance solar steamer could inspire new paradigms of water treatment technologies.

We report a controllable and precision approach in manipulating catalytic nanomotors by strategically applied electric (E-) fields in three dimensions (3-D). With the high controllability, the catalytic nanomotors have demonstrated new versa-tility in capturing, delivering, and releasing of cargos to designated locations as well as in-situ integration with nanome-chanical devices (NEMS) to chemically power the actuation. With combined AC and DC E-fields, catalytic nanomotors can be accurately aligned by the AC E-fields and instantly change their speeds by the DC E-fields. Within the 3-D orthog-onal microelectrode sets, the in-plane transport of catalytic nanomotors can be swiftly turned on and off, and these cata-lytic nanomotors can also move in the vertical direction. The interplaying nanoforces that govern the propulsion and alignment are investigated. The modeling of catalytic nanomotors proposed in previous works has been confirmed quan-titatively here. Finally, the prowess of the precision manipulation of catalytic nanomotors by E-fields is demonstrated in two applications: the capture, transport, and release of cargos to pre-patterned microdocks, and the assembly of catalytic nanomotors on NEMS to power the continuous rotation. The innovative concepts and approaches reported in this work could further advance ideal applications of catalytic nanomotors, e.g. for assembling and powering nanomachines, nano-robots, and complex NEMS devices.