It has long been discussed that one of the goals of
nanotechnology is to create miniscule machines and robots that can
function inside our bodies to cure disease. Once this idea was straight
from the script of a science fiction movie but now Korean researchers
from Chonnam
National University have created a microscopic robot
that can travel through blood vessels.
Although not down to nano size yet, the robot is still
extremely large at just under a millimetre, however it walks on six
legs and is designed to clear blocked arteries. When the robot
encounters a blood clot that may cause a heart attack, it can release
drugs to clear the blockage.
The robot 'motor' is grafted heart muscle that is powered by
sugars within the patient's blood thereby foregoing the need for a
cumbersome external power supply.
Posted 24th October 2007
