17-07-2014, 11:53 AM
Nanorobotics
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Introduction to Nanorobotics
Nanorobotics deals with the controlled manipulation of objects with nanometer-scale dimensions. As an atom has a diameter of a few Angstroms' (1 Å = 0.1 nm = 10-10 m), and a molecule´s size is a few nanometers.
Nanorobots are nanodevices that will be used primarily for the purpose of maintaining and protecting the human body against pathogens.
Basically, we may observe two distinct kind of nanorobot utilization. One is nanorobots for the surgery intervention, and the other is nanorobot to monitor patients' body.
Nanorobot is designed to be able to interact with the 3-Dimensional human body environment, in order to fulfill programmed tasks.
The major challenges faced by scientists regarding
nanorobot fabrication and control are power supply,
propulsion, navigation and communication.
Nanotechnology is expected to find application (in concert
with genetics and robotics) in medical diagnostics, aging
extension, engineered organ (even cellular/sub cellular
organelle) replacements, disease treatments, advanced
pharmacology and many other areas.
Applications of Nanorobotics
Treating arteriosclerosis: Arteriosclerosis refers to a
condition where plaque builds along the walls of
arteries. Nanorobots could conceivably treat the condition
by cutting away the plaque, which would then enter the
bloodstream.
Fighting cancer: Doctors hope to use nanorobots to treat cancer patients. The robots could either attack tumors directly using lasers, microwaves or ultrasonic signals or they could be part of a chemotherapy treatment, delivering medication directly to the cancer site. Doctors believe that by delivering small but precise doses of medication to the patient, side effects will be minimized without a loss in the medication's effectiveness.
Helping the body clot: One particular kind of nanorobot is the clottocyte, or artificial platelet. The clottocyte carries a small mesh net that dissolves into a sticky membrane upon contact with blood plasma. According to Robert A. Freitas, Jr., the man who designed the clottocyte, clotting could be up to 1,000 times faster than the body's natural clotting mechanism. Doctors could use clottocytes to treat hemophiliacs or patients with serious open wounds.
Powering a nanorobot
Using Chemical reactions with blood : Nanorobots could get power directly from the bloodstream.
A nanorobot with mounted electrodes could form a battery using the electrolytes found in blood. Another option is to create chemical reactions with blood to burn it for energy. The nanorobot
would hold a small supply of chemicals that would become a fuel source when combined with blood.
Using Capacitors : Considering the fact that capacitors have relatively large power to weight ratio, as compared to batteries, engineers are devising nano scale capacitors that are both reliable and economically feasible.
Tethered Power sources : Tethered systems would need a wire
between the nanorobot and the power source. The wire would
need to be strong, but it would also need to move effortlessly
through the human body without causing damage. A physical
tether could supply power either by electricity or optically.
Non-Tethered Power sources : Magnetic fields, Ultrasonic signals fall under this category. A nanorobot with a piezoelectric membrane could pick up ultrasonic signals and convert them into electricity. Systems using magnetic fields, can either manipulate the nanorobot directly or induce an electrical current in a closed conducting loop in the robot
Propelling a nanorobot
Propelling a nanorobot is a very complex process. As it may have to travel against the flow of blood, the propulsion system has to be relatively strong for its size. Another important consideration is the safety of the patient -- the system must be able to move the nanorobot around without causing damage to the host.
Vi-rob : The Vi-rob is a robot that is a few millimeters in length,
which uses small appendages to grip and crawl through blood
vessels. The scientists manipulate the arms by creating magnetic
fields outside the patient's body. The magnetic fields cause the
robot’s arms to vibrate, pushing it further through the blood vessels.
Vibrating Membrane : Another potential way nanorobots could move around is by using a vibrating membrane. By alternately tightening and relaxing tension on a membrane, a nanorobot could generate small amounts of thrust. On the nanoscale, this thrust could be significant enough to act as a viable source of motion.
Electromagnetic and jet pumps : Capacitors can be used to generate magnetic fields that would pull conductive fluids through one end of an electromagnetic pump and shoot it out the back end. The nanorobot would move around like a jet airplane. Miniaturized jet pumps could even use blood plasma to push the nanorobot forward, though, unlike the electromagnetic pump, there would need to be moving parts.
Benefits and Limitations
Benefits :
In medical field, we will have these nano robots floating through our bloodstreams fighting against cancer cells, genetic disorders, skin diseases, and maybe even ageing.
Nano robots will be extremely precise in drug delivery and ailing. In a conventional type syringe injection of doses, only a diluted concentration of dose reaches the particular part of the body.
Nanorobots could also help improve resistance in fighting diseases and increase strength and intelligence.
When the task of the nanorobots is completed, they can be retrieved by allowing them to effuse themselves via the usual human excretory channels.
Other benefits of nanorobots can be in Super computers, military technology and some commercial applications like cosmetics, etc.
Limitations :
The major limitation when considering the development of nano robotics is that, nanorobotics is still a research field and applying all this theory into feasible produce may take at least another 25 years
Conclusion
All of these current developments in technology directs humans a step closer to nanorobots and simple, operating nanorobots is the near future. Nanorobots can theoretically destroy all common diseases of the 2lst century thereby ending much of the pain and suffering. It can also have alternative, practical uses such as improved mouthwash and cosmetic creams that can expand the commercial market in biomedical engineering. People can envision a future where people can self-diagnose their ‘own ailments with the help of nanorobot monitors in their bloodstream. Simple everyday illnesses can be cured without ever visiting the physician. Invasive surgery will be replaced by an operation carried out by nano-surgical robots. Although research into nanorobots is in its preliminary stages, the promise of such technology is endless