This paper presents a light-propelled nanomotor built by introducing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) onto biodegradable bowl-shaped polymersomes (stomatocytes). These nanomotors exhibit controllable motion and velocities up to 125 µm s⁻¹, exceeding previously reported speeds. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) reveal that the non-uniform Au NP distribution on the stomatocyte surface causes this directional movement. The nanomotors' motility is successfully used for active cargo delivery into living cells, showcasing potential biomedical applications.

Jianhong Wang, Hanglong Wu, Xiaowei Zhu, Robby Zwolsman, Stijn R. J. Hofstraat, Yudong Li, Yingtong Luo, Rick R. M. Joosten, Heiner Friedrich, Shoupeng Cao, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Jingxin Shao, Jan C. M. van Hest