A Bond Betwen Man and Machine?
It is apparent that the trend of products today is to become smaller and smaller. We use many products today that achieve the same uses as its much bulkier predecessors. Just think back to the days of primitive cell phones. To say they were ‘big’ would be an understatement. While most would say that having small and compact devices are a matter of convenience, there are other compelling reason for us to look as deep as nanotechnology. One of these reasons includes potential medical applications.
Source: Wall Street Journal
In fact, medical researchers have been trying to devise useful nano-machines or nano-robots for quite some time. A barrier they had in successfully applying them to medical treatments was the lack of a means of propulsion. This is crucial for maneuvering these machines through areas of the body such as the bloodstream.
Source: University of South Caroline Beaufort
Until recently, there had been no viable motor to accomplish this task. Researchers have now discovered a means to make motors at the nano-level, which spin at 600 revolutions per minute and can move things 2,000 times their weight. What is the secret to such magnificent specifications? Carbon.
Source: BBC News
Carbon is one of the most abundant elements in the universe. However, it is often overlooked in materials manufacturing in favor of metals. Interestingly, carbon is convenient to work with and has suitable properties for nanotechnology. Nano-tubes composed entirely of carbon atoms arranged in hexagons can be made into a yarn that can be used as a type of electric motor.
These carbon fibers, which are 100 times stronger than steel of the same dimensions, are coated in an electrolyte. This allows the fibers to expand when voltage is applied. The expansion can produce a torque on par with much larger conventional electric motors.
Researchers propose that this type of motor can be used to produce ‘flagella’ for nano-robots. These nano-robots can then be used to deliver drugs, fight diseases, and remove parasites. The applications do not end there. Scientists can apply this technology in several other ways to treat the body’s problems.
I am awestruck as to how ideas which were once science fiction are now commonplace. In the future we can perhaps expect to see nano-machines populating our bodies, constantly monitoring and regulating it, defeating disease once and for all. Nanotechnology may give us the ultimate bond between man and machine.
Source: BBC News
Readers may be interested to note that researchers from UBC were involved in this collaboration with researchers from other countries.
For more information
See article:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2011/10/12/science.1211220.abstract
October 15th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Wow. I didn’t know how a carbon structure could be stronger than steel in the same dimensions!
October 17th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Having nano-robots removing parasites sound like an expensive treatment, but it must be efficient enough to be able to spot those very tiny organisms.
October 17th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
I was just wondering the same, if these nanobots could act as the leukocytes in our blood to detect and engulf the foreign invaders.
Shocks me that these carbon fibers are actually 100 times stronger than steel! It’s probably got something to do with its structure, seeing that diamond remains as one of the hardest objects whilst graphite is so fragile.
October 17th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
That’s amazing that the carbon fibers as so much stronger than steel and the motors can move things 2000 times their weight..
I’m excited to see what uses they come up with for these nano-robots in the near future.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
It is interesting how scientists have found a way to propel nano robots within our blood streams. In the same way that our bodies can mount an immune response against seemingly helpful technology (i.e. pacemakers), I wonder how scientists will prevent our bodies from tagging these nano robots as foreign, or mask them from our immune responses.