We describe nanoscale tools in the form of autonomous and remotely guided catalytically self-propelled InGaAs/GaAs/(Cr)Pt tubes. These rolled-up tubes with diameters in the range of 280-600 nm move in hydrogen peroxide solutions with speeds as high as 180 μm s(-1). The effective transfer of chemical energy to translational motion has allowed these tubes to perform useful tasks such as transport of cargo. Furthermore, we observed that, while cylindrically rolled-up tubes move in a straight line, asymmetrically rolled-up tubes move in a corkscrew-like trajectory, allowing these tubes to drill and embed themselves into biomaterials. Our observations suggest that shape and asymmetry can be utilized to direct the motion of catalytic nanotubes and enable mechanized functions at the nanoscale.

We describe the motion of self-propelled catalytic Ti/Fe/Pt rolled-up microtubes (microbots) in the microchannels of a microfluidics system. Their motion is precisely controlled by a small magnetic field, and the transport of multiple spherical microparticles into desired locations is achieved. The microbots are powerful enough to propel themselves against flowing streams. The integration of “smart and powerful” microbots into microchip systems can lead to multiple lab-on-a-chip functions such as separation of cells and biosensing.

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A review of present and future on-chip rolled-up devices, which can be used to develop lab-in-a-tube total analysis systems, is presented. Lab-in-a-tube is the integration of numerous rolled-up components into a single device constituting a microsystem of hundreds/thousands of independent units on a chip, each individually capable of sorting, detecting and analyzing singular organisms. Such a system allows for a scale-down of biosensing systems, while at the same time increasing the data collection through a large, smart array of individual biosensors. A close look at these ultracompact components which have been developed over the past decade is given. Methods for the capture of biomaterial are laid out and progress of cell culturing in three-dimensional scaffolding is detailed. Rolled-up optical sensors based on photoluminescence, optomechanics, optofluidics and metamaterials are presented. Magnetic sensors are introduced as well as electrical components including heating, energy storage and resistor devices.

The fabrication of tubular rolled-up optofluidic ring resonators (RU-OFRRs) based on glass (SiO(2)) material with high quality factors is reported. A novel methodology combining lab-on-a-chip fabrication methods and rolled-up nanotech is presented for the fabrication of fully integrated tubular optofluidic sensors. The microfluidic integration of several RU-OFRRs on one chip is solved by enclosing the microtubes with a patterned robust SU-8 polymeric matrix. A viewport on each microtube enables exact excitation and monitoring of whispering gallery modes with a photoluminescence spectroscopy system under constant ambient conditions, while exchanging the content of the RU-OFRR with liquids of different refractive indices. The refractrometric sensor capabilities are investigated regarding signal stability, sensitivity and reliability. The sensitivity of the integrated RU-OFRR, which is the response of the modes to the change in refractive index of the liquid, is up to 880 nm/refractive index units (RIU).