Micromotors for antimicrobial resistance bacteria inactivation in water systems: opportunities and challenges

The intensive use of antibiotics and the inadequate removal in water treatment plants have contributed to the phenomena of antimicrobial resistance. Bacterial colonies and biofilms present in water distribution and aquatic systems respond to the presence of antibiotics by the generation of resistance genes and other determinants transmitted through the environment. In this perspective, we identify the opportunities and challenges of self-propelled micromotors in the fight against antimicrobial resistance by the elimination of antibiotics and bacteria in water. Recent progress is contextualized in the current scenario in terms of bacteria and antibiotics found in real settings and current removal technologies. As illustrated in this perspective, the unique features of micromotors result in a high surface area to-mass ratio for enhanced degradation capabilities, for both antibiotic removal and bacteria biofilm inactivation, as compared with static current technologies. The autonomous movement of micromotors allows us to reach more volumes of water and even hard-to-access areas, offering great opportunities to reach hard-to-access pipelines, not accessible by current approaches. Yet, as envisioned in this perspective, micromotors are far away from real applications, hampered mainly by the main challenges of the treatment of high-water volumes. We also advocate scientists to include in the proof-of-concept studies real water and the evaluation of a major number of antibiotics and bacteria commonly found in real settings, as will be described in this perspective. Micromotors hold considerable promise as a holistic approach to fight antimicrobial resistance, but cross-discipline collaborations are a must to translate the recent progress into real practical applications.