288 research outputs found
Using Surface-Motions for Locomotion of Microscopic Robots in Viscous Fluids
Microscopic robots could perform tasks with high spatial precision, such as
acting in biological tissues on the scale of individual cells, provided they
can reach precise locations. This paper evaluates the feasibility of in vivo
locomotion for micron-size robots. Two appealing methods rely only on surface
motions: steady tangential motion and small amplitude oscillations. These
methods contrast with common microorganism propulsion based on flagella or
cilia, which are more likely to damage nearby cells if used by robots made of
stiff materials. The power potentially available to robots in tissue supports
speeds ranging from one to hundreds of microns per second, over the range of
viscosities found in biological tissue. We discuss design trade-offs among
propulsion method, speed, power, shear forces and robot shape, and relate those
choices to robot task requirements. This study shows that realizing such
locomotion requires substantial improvements in fabrication capabilities and
material properties over current technology.Comment: 14 figures and two Quicktime animations of the locomotion methods
described in the paper, each showing one period of the motion over a time of
0.5 milliseconds; version 2 has minor clarifications and corrected typo
Nanorobotics in Medicine: A Systematic Review of Advances, Challenges, and Future Prospects
Nanorobotics offers an emerging frontier in biomedicine, holding the
potential to revolutionize diagnostic and therapeutic applications through its
unique capabilities in manipulating biological systems at the nanoscale.
Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted
using IEEE Xplore and PubMed databases, resulting in the identification and
analysis of a total of 414 papers. The studies were filtered to include only
those that addressed both nanorobotics and direct medical applications. Our
analysis traces the technology's evolution, highlighting its growing prominence
in medicine as evidenced by the increasing number of publications over time.
Applications ranged from targeted drug delivery and single-cell manipulation to
minimally invasive surgery and biosensing. Despite the promise, limitations
such as biocompatibility, precise control, and ethical concerns were also
identified. This review aims to offer a thorough overview of the state of
nanorobotics in medicine, drawing attention to current challenges and
opportunities, and providing directions for future research in this rapidly
advancing field
Micro/nanoscale magnetic robots for biomedical applications
Magnetic small-scale robots are devices of great potential for the biomedical field because of the several benefits of this method of actuation. Recent work on the development of these devices has seen tremendous innovation and refinement toward improved performance for potential clinical applications. This review briefly details recent advancements in small-scale robots used for biomedical applications, covering their design, fabrication, applications, and demonstration of ability, and identifies the gap in studies and the difficulties that have persisted in the optimization of the use of these devices. In addition, alternative biomedical applications are also suggested for some of the technologies that show potential for other functions. This study concludes that although the field of small-scale robot research is highly innovative there is need for more concerted efforts to improve functionality and reliability of these devices particularly in clinical applications. Finally, further suggestions are made toward the achievement of commercialization for these devices
Review on Nanorobot as a Nanomachine and Biomedicine
Nanorobotics is the technology of producing robots or machines with very small scale or Miniscale of a nanometer (10-9 meters), machines constructed at the molecular level (Nano machines) may Be used to detect or identify and cure the human body of its various diseases like cancer. Nano robots are Very good accuracy they perform a specific task with great accuracy and precision at very small scale or Nanoscale dimension. A recent discovery in the field of drug Delivery is target therapy, which improves the diagnostic tests and Medical devices. Nanotechnology is going to revolutionize the world. According to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). Nowadays these nano robots play a vital role in the field of Bio Medicine. In the pharma-world, the applications of Nanotechnology mean drugs containing nano-sized active ingredients. They are well used to cure HIV, Cancer, Surgery, Bloodstream, gene therapy, Kidney stone removal and other harmful disease they Can restore lost tissue at the cellular level, useful for monitoring, Diagnosing and fighting sickness. The main purpose is to cure many dreadful Diseases in human body
Innovative designs and applications of Janus micromotors with (photo)-catalytic and magnetic motion
El objetivo principal de esta Tesis Doctoral es el diseño y desarrollo de micromotores Janus biocompatibles y
su aplicación en ámbitos relevantes de la salud y de la protección medioambiental. Los micromotores Janus
son dispositivos en la microescala autopropulsados que tienen al menos dos regiones en su superficie con
diferentes propiedades físicas y químicas, lo que les convierte en una clase distintiva de materiales que pueden
combinar características ópticas, magnéticas y eléctricas en una sola entidad. Como la naturaleza del
micromotor Janus -el dios romano de las dos caras- los objetivos de esta Tesis Doctoral presentan naturaleza
dual y comprenden desarrollos de química fundamental y de química aplicada. En efecto, por una parte, el
objetivo central aborda el diseño, síntesis y ensamblaje, así como la caracterización de micromotores Janus
poliméricos propulsados por mecanismos (foto)-catalíticos y/o accionados por campos magnéticos. Por otra
parte, el objetivo central implica la aplicación de los micromotores desarrollados para resolver desafíos sociales
relevantes en los ámbitos químico-analítico, biomédico y ambiental.
Partiendo de estas premisas, en la primera parte de la Tesis Doctoral, se sintetizaron micromotores Janus de
policaprolactona propulsados químicamente integrando nanomateriales para el diseño de sensores móviles
para la detección selectiva de endotoxinas bacterianas. De esta forma, el movimiento autónomo del micromotor
mejora la mezcla de fluidos y la eficacia de las reacciones implicadas permitiendo detectar el analito en pocos
minutos, incluso en muestras viscosas y medios donde la agitación no es posible. Además, esta autopropulsión
es altamente compatible con su empleo en formatos ultra-miniaturizados para el desarrollo de futuros
dispositivos portátiles en el marco de la tecnología point of care para aplicaciones clínicas y agroalimentarias.
Con el fin de incrementar su biocompatibilidad para aplicaciones in vivo, en una segunda etapa de la Tesis
Doctoral, se diseñaron micromotores Janus con propulsión autónoma utilizando luz visible para la eliminación
de toxinas relevantes en procesos inflamatorios. El fenómeno autopropulsivo del micromotor y su capacidad de
interacción con agentes tóxicos condujo a metodologías más rápidas y eficaces infiriéndose un futuro
prometedor de estos micromotores para el tratamiento del shock séptico o intoxicación. En una tercera etapa,
se sintetizaron micromotores propulsados por campos magnéticos. Estos micromotores utilizan una
aproximación elegante de propulsión, exenta del empleo de combustibles químicos tóxicos como sucede en la
propulsión catalítica y, en consecuencia, biocompatible. Asimismo, este mecanismo propulsivo permite
controlar e incluso programar su trayectoria para aplicaciones que requieran de un guiado y de un control
preciso de esta. De manera específica, estos micromotores han sido aplicados en esta Tesis Doctoral para la
liberación controlada de fármacos en el tratamiento de cáncer pancreático y como elementos de remediación
ambiental en la eliminación de agentes nerviosos en aguas contaminadas
Technological Applications of Porphyrins and Related Compounds: Spintronics and Micro-/Nanomotors
The vital role played by porphyrins in cells and their use in therapeutic processes are well known. More recently, the technological applications of porphyrins have attracted the attention of researchers. Porphyrins have the property of half-metallic material, i.e., molecules that can host transition metals making feasible the production of spin-polarized electronic states at different channels. Therefore, porphyrins and hemeproteins are among the materials that have spin-filtering property to be applied in spintronics. Molecular spintronics is an emerging and highly relevant field due to their applications to the development of high-capacity information-storage devices and quantum computers. The catalytic properties of porphyrins and related compounds such as the hemeproteins are also applicable in the fabrication of micro-/nanomotors (MNMs). In this chapter, we describe the advances and future perspectives in the technological applications of porphyrins and related compounds in spintronic devices and micro-/nanomotors
Recommended from our members
Engineering Micro/Nanorobots Towards Biomedical Applications: Targeted Delivery, Surgery and Detoxification
Over the past decade, micro/nanomotors have emerged as novel and versatile nanotools demonstrating considerable promise for many environmental and biological applications. This dissertation aims to demonstrate unique advantages of micro/nanorobot platforms.The first theme focuses on developing the use of ultrasound propelled nanostructures for diverse applications, including “on-the-move” capture and the transport of multiple cargoes and internalization and movement inside live MCF-7 cancer cells.The second theme explores the use of acoustically triggered microcannons. This principle was tested towards mechanochemical blood clot degradation and enhancing drug permeability through the epidermis.The third theme describes the use of biohybrid robotics systems for detoxification and decontamination of environmental pollutants, including bacteria (E. coli), nerve agent (methyl paraoxon) and heavy metal ions (Cd and Pb) from aqueous solutions.In the not-so-distant future, Micro/nanorobots could serve as robust and versatile platform for potentially improving medical diagnosis and treatment
Photoacoustic computed tomography guided microrobots for targeted navigation in intestines in vivo
Tremendous progress in synthetic micro/nanomotors has been made for potential biomedical applications. However, existing micro/nanomotor platforms are inefficient for deep tissue imaging and motion control in vivo. Here, we present a photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) guided investigation of micromotors in intestines in vivo. The micromotors enveloped in microcapsules exhibit efficient propulsion in various biofluids once released. PACT has visualized the migration of micromotor capsules toward the targeted regions in real time in vivo. The integration of the developed microrobotic system and PACT enables deep imaging and precise control of the micromotors in vivo
- …