Diamondoid cell-repair nanorobot
Image Source: Svidinenko Yuriy
Nanotechnology spans and merges disciplines dealing with matter at the micro level (physics, chemistry, and biology) with those dealing with matter at the macro level (engineering, materials science and computer science). A nanorobot is a tiny machine designed to perform a specific task or tasks repeatedly and with precision at nanoscale dimensions, that is, dimensions of a few nanometers (nm) or less, where 1 nm = 10-9 meter. Nanorobots have potential applications in the assembly and maintenance of sophisticated systems. Nanorobots might function at the atomic or molecular level to build devices, machines, or circuits, a process known as molecular manufacturing. Source: metallurgyfordummies.com
3D animation of Nanobots replacing neurons (nerve cells). Nanorobot at work replacing human nerve cells with artificial nerve cells. This CG animation visualizes one of the possible future applications and uses of nanotechnology.
A Polymerization-Powered Motor
“Ryan A. Pavlick, Samudra Sengupta, Timothy McFadden, Hua Zhang, and Ayusman Sen
“A synthetic motor system was designed that exhibits enhanced diffusion by harnessing the energy of a catalytic polymerization reaction. The motor was also found to exhibit the phenomenon of chemtaxis by moving up the monomer gradient. This allows the directed movement of the motor towards specific targets, and should permit the deposition of polymer along the motion track in a solvent in which the polymer is insoluble. Furthermore, the work expands the scope of catalytic reactions that can be utilized to create motion of micrometer-scale objects.”
Read Full Article: onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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Dated, but perhaps also of interest: http://nextbigfuture.com/2010/02/darpa-project-highlights-for-2010-2011.html
Cell therapy, and other regenerative medicines such as tissue engineering, comprise a separate therapeutic platform technology to that of the current three pillars of healthcare: pharma, biologics and medical devices. It is certainly a disruptive technology; however, it is not new. The cell therapy initiative has its origins rooted in blood transfusion, bone marrow and organ transplantation, tissue banking and reproductive in vitro fertilization. Stem Cell Therapy
good pics