IEEE NMDC 2025 Poster - Biomimetic Nanobots for Autonomous and Eco-Friendly Heavy Metal Soil Remediation

This work presents a novel, simulation-driven framework for biomimetic nanobots aimed at sustainable soil remediation of heavy metal contaminants. The proposed design integrates a graphene-based capsule for structural stability, a gold nanostructure\u2013CNT sensing interface for selective ion detection, a compartmental pseudo-organelle system for enzymatic neutralization, DNA\u2013polystyrene bead actuators under optical-tweezer excitation for locomotion, and a CNT based nanosensor port to enable environmental monitoring in a NanoIoT-inspired architecture. Preliminary simulations validate the feasibility of the gold\u2013CNT sensing interface and DNA\u2013polystyrene actuator dynamics, with ongoing modelling of pseudo-organelle functionality and nanosensor integration using VMD, NAMD, LAMMPS, Python, and MATLAB. In addition, partial biochemical validation of nickel ion species (Ni\u00b2\u207a components such as NiSO\u2084\u00b76H\u2082O and NiCl\u2082) in leguminous plants was carried out, guiding the spatial positioning of the gold nanolens and nanosensor port for improved environmental selectivity. The simulation first-strategy is adopted to reduce nanomaterial waste in early design. A technology readiness assessment (TRL 1\u20134) positions the modules across different levels: gold\u2013CNT sensing (TRL 3\u20134, simulation-validated), DNA polystyrene actuators (TRL 2\u20133, preliminary modelling), pseudo-organelle neutralization (TRL 2, conceptual modelling), NanoIoT CNT port (TRL 2, literature-backed concept with partial plant-ion validation), and biodegradability\/self destruction (TRL 1, principal formulation).