Researchers from Cornell
University are implanting nanotechnology based microfluidic devices in
insects before they hatch into fully grown flying creatures. When they
emerge, the insects have incroporated the devices into their bodies and
are, in effect, fully functioning cyborgs.
Scientists have previously tried to build microscopic flying
devices
but the problems of fuel, engines ad aerodynamics have caused these
efforts to fail. Insects already have these problems solved naturally.
By adding different nanotechnology enabled devices to insects they can
be used for a range of different tasks from detecting environmental
hazards to security surveillance.
Cornell have released a video showing one of their "cyborg
sentinel" insects.
AZoNano is grateful for the support provided by our sponsors to both AZoNano.com and to the authors
and peer reviewers of AZoJono -Journal of Nantechnology Online - open access to leading Nanotech Science.
