Facing a critical freshwater shortage exacerbated by industrialization, population growth, and climate change, this proposal introduces a novel solution: self-propelled, programmable microand nanoscale robots for advanced water remediation. These microrobots aim to efficiently target and remove a wide range of pollutants, including nano-/microplastics and heavy metals, by overcoming traditional diffusion limits. The project will develop swarms of autonomous micromachines with tactic responses to external stimuli, capable of purifying water through coordinated actions. Inspired by nature’s biomachines and addressing propulsion challenges at micro/nanoscales, the research focuses on the fundamental aspects of microrobot propulsion, self-organization, and environmental interaction. By harnessing energy conversion and functional surface elements, these microrobots promise a groundbreaking approach to environmental protection and resource extraction, showcasing the potential for large-scale deployment and significant ecological impact as well as fundamental understanding to the behavior

Keywords
robotics; autonomous_machines; physical_machine_intelligence; environmental_remediation;