They’re everywhere: in the air, in the
water, even in your blood. We're not talking about bacteria, dust, or even
pictures of Justin Bieber's mugshot.
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| Selena must be so disappointed... |
No, today we're discussing robots and
their future potential in the miniaturized form. These small robots, commonly
referred to as microbots or nanobots, are tiny machines that often work
together in a swarm to achieve precise tasks or enter toxic or complex environments
like our bodies. Once envisioned only in dreams and popular science fiction (maybe
just for nerds like us), these microscopic mechanisms are becoming more and
more a reality in today's world and are already being used in such fields as molecular
engineering, brainwashing, and fine arts. All right, perhaps it’s not quite so
advanced yet. The world’s smallest example to-date is this riveting “robo-fly” the size of a penny created after 12 years of
intensive research at Harvard, capable of such astounding feats as hovering 15
centimeters off the ground while attached to a power cord.
I don't know about you but I just got goosebumps
We
know, how can it get any better than this, you may be asking yourself. What can
you not achieve with a world full of string-attached, brainless, low-soaring,
micro-flies, you may be wondering. Well, we hope for the sake of our future,
and perhaps the future of these Harvard scientists’ jobs, there may be
something more interesting in store. Let’s be clear, it’s taken countless
(wo)man hours and perhaps a few million more IQ points than we possess to get
to this point but as of now, the field is largely theoretical. However, the
field is growing exponentially, with huge investments from such players as
Google1, as the presumed applications seem to be endless.
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One small step for robot, one giant leap for robotkind |
One
of the critical areas of focus is medicine: it is hypothesized that micro and
nano robots will be able to complete such tasks as clearing blood clots, aiding
digestion, repairing tissue, and even fighting cancer cells. As the size of the
robots decreases, more and more precise procedures will become only a matter of
routine with new technology capable of encountering, removing, and fixing
faulty heart valves2. Another
potential application lies in the gloomy, uncharted depths of the oceans. More
than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water; the importance of the
hydrological cycle in our lives is undeniable, from consumption to bathing to
manufacturing to Madrid’s nightlife. Imagine the possibility of releasing millions
of nanobots into the ocean to use them as sensors for monitoring pollution,
water temperature, and weather in order to prevent natural disasters while travelling
through the water. In comparison to the medical purpose, the size of these
machines is not as restrictive and the level of control is almost unnecessary3.
With a self-regenerative capability,
nanobots could become fully integrated within the oceanographic biosphere,
allowing new research in hard to reach areas or of previously difficult to
study life forms like giant squids. Who knows, IE’s future Japanese Club just
may serve you up some tuna sashimi choc full of vitamins, minerals, and
nanobots one day.
Sending
swarms of robots to explore the final frontier is also a prospect. The
lightweight structure of the robots could allow them to travel through space as
small solar sails, requiring no energy or engine for propulsion. Imagine a
cloud of nanomachines searching for something of interest to human kind on
another planet or solar system while transmitting information back home4.
The same principles of exploration learned in the abysses of the ocean could be
applied to Titan, the moon of Jupiter with the most earthlike characteristics in
the solar system.
Unfortunately,
the development of the potential applications of this technology is stymied by
insufficient or unrealistic sources of energy. However, scientists are
beginning to make headway: in 2013, a professor of electrical engineering at UT
Arlington designed a micro-windmill capable of producing energy. The wind
engine is 1.8 mm at its widest point and is ten times smaller than a grain of
rice5. Originally designed as a solution for cellphones batteries, its
potential and possible uses as a source of energy for nanobots are being vigorously explored.
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Just imagine the potential for Pokemon games |
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Pretty soon there will be mini Don Quixotes too |
We
don’t yet know where the road of robotics will lead us as the complexities and
usages are seemingly never ending. However, in the case of mini machines, we do
know that there’s always room at the bottom. And no, we’re not talking about
Justin Bieber.
Small Can Be Good?
Sources:
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