| otechnology is the science of the very small. Many | | | | nanospheres from a noble metal which will be able to |
| researchers are trying to create nanobots. Nanobots | | | | amplify and focus the light with the precision of |
| are basically extremely small robots at the size of the | | | | nanometers. Artificial electrocytes will function like |
| atomic scale. In the future they may be used for a | | | | batteries. These types of electrolytes actually occur |
| variety of different purposes. Scientists are now | | | | naturally in fish such as electric eels. They will be built |
| collaborating to create new nanomachines that are | | | | from pumps of liposome ion (adipocytes) which will |
| smaller than the width of a human hair. These | | | | have ion molecules incorporated in their lipid |
| nanomachines may be able to stimulate single cells | | | | membranes. |
| inside the human body. Research that is to be | | | | The group hopes to prove the functionality of each |
| undertaken by Rudy Diaz will concentrate on creating | | | | nanoscale component independently and to show that |
| nanomachines that are conceived to provide electrical | | | | the whole assembly works together as it is conceived. |
| signals to single neurons (brain cells). | | | | These nanostructures could lead to the advanced |
| The applications of this technology include devices of | | | | probes of neuron functioning. They may also be able |
| bio-detection and drug delivery which could be used to | | | | to allow much better brain imaging at the cellular level. |
| detect and treat a number of human neurological | | | | The nano probes will be delivered to their targets by |
| disorders. Diaz, a qualified schoolteacher at the | | | | using chemical labels. The delivery will be done during a |
| department of electrical engineering and the center for | | | | surgical operation. These nanobots may be able to |
| Nanophotonics will work professors Thomas Moore | | | | reveal new details about the transmission of neuron |
| and Hao Yan from the department of biochemistry | | | | signals and their malfunction in pathologies. It has the |
| and chemistry . The goal of team is the development | | | | potential for a variety of applications like stimulation of |
| of new and more precise technology of | | | | the brain for the treatment of brain damage or injury. It |
| neural-stimulation within the brain. What Diaz's method | | | | might be able to ameliorate a variety of conditions |
| proposes would allow the nanomachine to directly | | | | such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease. |
| interact with cells at the microscopic level. These | | | | Nanotechnology is progressing at a rapid pace and our |
| nanomachines could be injected into the body and find | | | | society will have to grapple with a lot of its implications. |
| their target themselves. | | | | There is the possibility of self replicating nanobots that |
| The nanomachine will be built on a frame of DNA | | | | will consume everything on the earth. However, there |
| which includes antennas to receive power from the | | | | is definitely a lot of promise for these nanomachines. |
| outside world and batteries to store and provide | | | | They may be able to allievate or cure a variety of |
| power. This will allow the small nanomachine to | | | | different disorders in the future. Nanomachines will likely |
| function on its own. The antennas are built from | | | | find increasing use in the future. |