Micro/nano‑reconfigurable robots for intelligent carbon management in confined‑space life‑support systems

As CO₂ accumulates in crewed spacecraft, submarines and disaster shelters, life-support systems demand sorbents that combine high capacity, ultralow regeneration energy and compact form factors. Now, researchers from Guangxi University, led by Prof. Hui He, unveil micro/nano-reconfigurable robots (MNRM) that harvest sunlight to capture 6.19 mmol g^-1 CO₂ and release it at only 55 °C—while actively swimming to prevent overheating. In a sealed-mouse model the robots prolonged survival by 54.61 %, offering a self-powered route to carbon-metabolism control in extreme environments.

Why MNRM Matters

• Lowest-Ever Regeneration: 55 °C beats all amino-based sorbents by ≥25 °C, cutting thermal energy 33 %.
• Solar-Only Operation: 0.7 sun (700 W m^-2) suffices; magnetic micro-reconfiguration averts hot-spots.
• Life-Support Verified: CO₂ inside chamber kept below 2 %; mouse lungs remain grade-1 intact.

Innovative Design & Features

• School-of-Fish Motion: Super-paramagnetic Fe₃O₄ NPs enable remote magnetic steering for uniform light harvesting.
• Thermo-Molecular Switch: Pluronic F127 cross-linked to cellulose nano-fibers curls at 45–55 °C, raising amino surface potential and blunting urea-forming side reactions.
• GO Heat Bridge: Graphene-oxide layer spreads photothermal heat (78 °C under 1 sun) across 3-D robot framework.

Applications & Outlook

• 10-Cycle Durability: 94 % capacity retained under 55 °C hydrothermal or 91.6 % under 0.7-sun light.
• Antimicrobial Bonus: >98 % inhibition of E. coli, S. aureus and A. flavus—vital for long-term storage.
• Scale-up Path: Team is integrating robots into modular cartridges for next-generation extravehicular-activity backpacks and mini-sub life-support loops.

This work translates nano-reconfiguration into a ready-to-deploy robotic carbon metabolism, promising energy-frugal CO₂ control for both space exploration and terrestrial emergency shelters. Stay tuned for more advances from Prof. Hui He’s group!