biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Kim JThe recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the massive discard of pandemic-related plastic wastes, causing serious ecological harm and a high societal burden. Most single-use face masks are made of synthetic plastics, thus their careless disposal poses a direct threat to wildlife as well as potential ecotoxicological effects in the form of microplastics. Here, we introduce a 1D magnetic photoactive microswarm capable of actively navigating, adhering to, and accelerating the degradation of the polypropylene microfiber of COVID-19 face masks. 1D microrobots comprise an anisotropic magnetic core (Fe₃O₄) and photocatalytic shell (Bi₂O₃/Ag), which enable wireless magnetic maneuvering and visible-light photocatalysis. The actuation of a programmed roNature communications935https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9939864biostudies-literatureMagnetically boosted 1D photoactive microswarm for COVID-19 face mask disruption.PMC9939864Pumera MKim JMayorga-Martinez CCfalseMagnetically boosted 1D photoactive microswarm for COVID-19 face mask disruption.The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the massive discard of pandemic-related plastic wastes, causing serious ecological harm and a high societal burden. Most single-use face masks are made of synthetic plastics, thus their careless disposal poses a direct threat to wildlife as well as potential ecotoxicological effects in the form of microplastics. Here, we introduce a 1D magnetic photoactive microswarm capable of actively navigating, adhering to, and accelerating the degradation of the polypropylene microfiber of COVID-19 face masks. 1D microrobots comprise an anisotropic magnetic core (Fe₃O₄) and photocatalytic shell (Bi₂O₃/Ag), which enable wireless magnetic maneuvering and visible-light photocatalysis. The actuation of a programmed ro2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2026-06-03T17:33:14.785Z2025-04-04T20:10:24.17ZS-EPMC99398643680456910.1038/s41467-023-36650-6