NANO ROBOTICS

A Seminar Report
Submitted by:

ANSHUMAN MISHRA
(1141012098)

in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree

of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
(Computer Science)

Institute of Technical Education & Research

(Faculty of Engineering & Technology)
SIKSHA O ANUSANDHAN UNIVERSITY, BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA

Department of Computer Sc. & Engineering

NANO ROBOTICS
Abstract:
Nano robotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or close to the microscopic
scale of a nanometer (109 meters). More specifically, Nano robotics refers to the still largely
hypothetical nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots,
devices ranging in size from 0.1-10 micrometers and constructed of nanoscale or molecular
components. As no artificial non-biological nanorobots have yet been created, they remain a
hypothetical concept.

The names nanobots, nanoids, nanites or nanomites have also been used to describe these
hypothetical devices. Nanomachines are largely in the research-and-development phase, but
some primitive molecular machines and nanomotors have been tested. An example is a sensor
having a switch approximately 1.5 nanometers across, capable of counting specific molecules
in a chemical sample. The first useful applications of nanomachines might be in medical
technology, which could be used to identify and destroy cancer cells. Another potential
application is the detection of toxic chemicals, and the measurement of their concentrations,
in the environment. Another definition is a robot that allows precision interactions with
nanoscale objects, or can manipulate with nanoscale resolution. Such devices are more
related to microscopy or scanning probe microscopy, instead of the description of nanorobots
as molecular machine

Mr. Niranjan Panda

GUIDE
ANSHUMAN MISHRA

Assistant Professor
Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering,
ITER, SOA University, Bhubaneswar, India

1141012098
CSE
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.Introduction....................................................................................................1
2.Robotics.........................................................................................................2
2.1. Nanorobots.....................................................................................2
3. Methodology.. ................................................................................10
3.1. The Basic Technology....................................................................13
4. Biochips..................................................18
4.1 Components of Biochip.......,......................................19
5. Nanorobotics in Everyday Life...................................................................24
6. Swarms............................................................ .25
7. Evolution in Nano Technology.......................................................................28
8. Conclusion......................................................................................................32
9. References.......................................................................................................33

INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

(Faculty of Engineering)
SIKSHA O ANUSANDHAN UNIVERSITY
(Declared u/s. 3 of the UGC Act 1956)
Jagmohan Nagar, Jagamara, Bhubaneswar-751030

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the seminar entitled Nano Robotics is a bonafide work done by
student of 8th Semester B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering from Institute of
Technical Education & Research, bearing Regd No. 1141012098 submitted in the partial
fulfillment of the award for the Degree of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) under Siksha O
Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar during 2011-15.

Mr. Niranjan Panda

Mrs. Mitrabinda Khuntia

Seminar Co-ordinator

Seminar Co-ordinator

Assistant Professor
Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering,
ITER, SOA University, Bhubaneswar, India

Assistant Professor
Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering,
ITER, SOA University, Bhubaneswar, India

INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

(Faculty of Engineering)
SIKSHA O ANUSANDHAN UNIVERSITY
(Declared u/s. 3 of the UGC Act 1956)
Jagmohan Nagar, Jagamara, Bhubaneswar-751030

DECLARATION
I hereby declared that the matter embodied in this seminar report is original and has not
been submitted for any other presentation.

Submitted By:
Anshuman Mishra
1141012098
CSE

INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

(Faculty of Engineering)
SIKSHA O ANUSANDHAN UNIVERSITY
(Declared u/s. 3 of the UGC Act 1956)
Jagmohan Nagar, Jagamara, Bhubaneswar-751030

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I hereby express my deepest gratitude towards, the HoD, CSE and my guide through this
seminar for their help and guidance throughout my preparation of this seminar. Without their
help and support, I couldnt have completed my seminar report in time.
Submitted By:
Anshuman Mishra
1141012098
CSE

CHAPTER 1

Introductuion
Nanorobotics is best described as an emerging frontier, a realm in which robots operate at scales of
billionths of a metre. It is the creation of functional materials, devices and systems through control of
matter on the nanometre scale. Viz. we can continue the revolution in computer hardware right down to
the level of molecular gates, switches and wires that are unimaginable.
We've gotten better at it: we can make more things at lower cost and greater precision than ever before.
But at the molecular scale we're still very crude, thats where nanotechnology comes in, at the
molecular level.

Driller and arm

Propeller

Sensor

Control System of
Nanorobot

Power Unit

Fig 1: Block Diagram of Nano robot

Nanorobots are the next generation of nanomachines. Advanced nanorobots will be able to sense and
adapt to environmental stimuli such as heat, light, sounds, surface textures, and chemicals; perform
complex calculations; move, communicate, and work together conduct molecular assembly; and, to some
extent, repair or even replicate themselves. Nanotechnology is the science and application of creating
objects on a level smaller than 100 nanometres. The extreme concept of nanotechnology is the "bottom
up" creation of virtually any material or object by assembling one atom at a time. Although nanotech
processes occur at the scale of nanometres, the materials and objects that result from these processes can
be much larger. Large-scale results happen when nanotechnology involves massive parallelism in which
many simultaneous and synergistic nanoscale processes combine to produce a large-scale result.
Many of the nano robots have very limited processing power with no artificial intelligence as feared by
most of us! They have onboard processor which is capable of only up to 1000 operations per second.
Therefore, they possess no threat whatsoever regarding Artificial Intelligence.
Most cellular repair nanorobots do not need more than 106-109 operations/sec of onboard computing
capacity to do their work. This is a full 4-7 order of magnitude below true human-equivalent computing
at 10 teraflops (~1013 operations/sec). Any faster computing capacity is simply not required for most
medical nanorobots.
There are various ways by which this technology can be implemented in the field of medicine.
Particularly robotics, since the use of robots can enhance the way we handle the treatment of ailments or
diseases to a level where the life expectancy of our race can be increased.

CHAPTER 2

Literature Survey
Research began in nano robotics in late 1980s.Around this time Drexler published his research on
nanosystem in which he discussed a field that derives largely from the field of macroscopic robots. From
there researched developed along two paths : design and simulation of nano robots and
manipulation/assembly of nano scale components with macroscopic components.

Richard Feynman, US physicist and Nobel Prize winner, presented a talk to the American Physical
Society annual meeting entitled Theres Plenty of Room at the Bottom. In his talk, Feynman presented
ideas for creating nanoscale machines to manipulate, control and image matter at the atomic scale. Prof.
Feynman described such atomic scale fabrication as a bottom-up approach, as opposed to the top-down
approach that we are accustomed to. Top-down manufacturing it involves the construction of parts
through methods such as cutting, carving and moulding. Using these methods, we have been able to
fabricate a remarkable variety of machinery and electronics devices. Bottom-up manufacturing would
provide components made of single molecules, which are held together by covalent forces that are far
stronger than the forces that hold together macro-scale components. Furthermore, the amount of
information that could be stored in devices build from the bottom up would be enormous.

The first nano device design technical paper was published in 1998 in which all the molecular and
medical implications of nanotechnology were collected in one source which is commonly referenced in
medicinal applications of nano robots. While Robotics had been used in medical field for a while nano
aspect of this recently surfaced in this area.

As research progressed, the mechanical components such as nano sized gears made of carbon atoms were
constructed. Year 1991 marked the invention AFM (Atomic force microscope) which is a foremost tool
for measuring and manipulating the materials on nano scale. Since AFM allowed precision interaction
with materials on nano scale it was considered as robot.

In year 2000 United States National Nanotechnology Initiative was founded to coordinate federal
research and development in nanotechnology. It marked the start of a serious effort in nanotechnology
research. In 2000 The company Nano factory Collaboration was founded. Aim of this was to Develop a
research agenda for a nano factory capable of building nano robots for medical purposes.

Currently, DNA machines(nucleic acid robots) are being developed. It performs mechanical-like
movements, such as switching, in response to certain stimuli (inputs).
Molecular size robots and machines paved the way for nanotechnology by creating smaller and smaller
machine nano robots.

10

CHAPTER 3

Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application
of robots, well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing.
These technologies deal with automated machines that can take the place of humans in dangerous
environments or manufacturing processes, or resemble humans in appearance, behaviour, and/or
cognition. Many of today's robots are inspired by nature contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics.

The concept of creating machines that can operate autonomously dates back to classical, but research into
the functionality and potential uses of robots did not grow substantially until the 20th
century. Throughout history, robotics has been often seen to mimic human behaviour, and often manage
tasks in a similar fashion. Today, robotics is a rapidly growing field, as technological advances continue
research,

design,

and

building

new

robots

serve

various

practical

purposes,

whether domestically, commercially, or militarily. Many robots do jobs that are hazardous to people such
as defusing bombs, mines and exploring shipwrecks.

At present mostly (lead-acid) batteries are used as a power source. Many different types of batteries can
be used as a power source for robots. They range from lead acid batteries which are safe and have
relatively long shelf lives but are rather heavy to silver cadmium batteries that are much smaller in
volume and are currently much more expensive. Designing a battery powered robot needs to take into
account factors such as safety, cycle lifetime and weight. Generators, often some type of internal
combustion engine, can also be used.

11

CHAPTER 4

Nano Technology
Nanotechnology is engineering at the molecular (groups of atoms) level. It is the collective term for a
range of technologies, techniques and processes that involve the manipulation of matter at the smallest
scale (from 1 to 100 nm2).The nanotechnology provides better future for human life in various fields. In
future nanotechnology provides economy, eco friendly and efficient technology which removes all
difficult predicaments which is faced by us in today life scenario. Nanotechnology is the technology of
preference to make things small, light and cheap, nanotechnology based manufacturing is a method
conceived for processing and rearranging of atoms to fabricate custom products.
The nanotechnology applications have three different categories nanosystems, nano materials and nano
electronics. The impact of the nanotechnology occurred on computing and data storage, materials and
manufacturing, health and medicine, energy and environment, transportation, national security and space
exploration. There are many applications of nanotechnology which are exciting in our life such as
nanopowder, nanotubes, membrane filter, quantum computers etc.
Nanotechnology is not confined to one industry, or market. Rather, it is an enabling set of technologies
that cross all industry sectors and scientific disciplines. Probably uniquely, it is classified by the size of
the materials being developed and used, not by the processes being used or products being produced.
Nanoscience is inherently multidisciplinary: it transcends the conventional boundaries between physics,
chemistry, biology, mathematics, information technology, and engineering.
Atoms and molecules stick together because they have complementary shapes that lock together, or
charges that attract. Just like with magnets, a positively charged atom will stick to a negatively charged
atom. As millions of these atoms are pieced together by nanomachines, a specific product will begin to
take shape. The goal of molecular manufacturing is to manipulate atoms individually and place them in a
pattern to produce a desired structure.

12

CHAPTER 5

What Are Nano Robots?

Nano robots are the result of culmination of two technologies: robotics and Nano technology. 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 manometers (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. Nanorobots might also produce copies of themselves to
replace worn-out units, a process called self-replication.

Nanorobots are of special interest to researchers in the medical industry. This has given rise to the field
of nanomedicine. It has been suggested that a fleet of nanorobots might serve as antibodies or antiviral
agents in patients with compromised immune systems, or in diseases that do not respond to more
conventional measures. There are numerous other potential medical applications, including repair of
damaged tissue, unblocking of arteries affected by plaques, and perhaps the construction of complete
replacement body organs.

A major advantage of nanorobots is thought to be their durability. In theory, they can remain operational
for years, decades, or centuries. Nanoscale systems can also operate much faster than their larger
counterparts because displacements are smaller; this allows mechanical and electrical events to occur in
less time at a given speed.

13

CHAPTER 6

Methodology
6.1 THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology as a whole is fairly simple to understand, but developing this universal technology into
a Nano robot has been slightly more complicated.
Many of the nanobot prototypes function quite well in certain respects but are mostly or partly biological
in nature, whereas the ultimate goal and quintessential definition of a nanorobot is to have the
microscopic entity made entirely out of electromechanical components. Nanorobots are essentially an
adapted machine version of bacteria. They are designed to function on the same scale as both bacteria and
common viruses so that they can interact and repel them.
Ideal nanobot consist of a transporting mechanism, an internal processor and a fuel unit of some kind that
enables it to function. The main difficulty arises around this fuel. The unit, since most conventional forms
of robotic propulsion cant be shrunk to nanoscale with current technology. Scientists have succeeded in
reducing a robot to five or six millimetres, but this size still technically qualifies it as a macro-robot.
Since the best way to create a nanrobot is to use another nanobot, the problem lies in getting started.
Humans are able to perform one nano-function at a time, but the thousands of varied applications
required to construct an autonomous robot would be exceedingly tedious for us to execute by hand, no
matter how high-tech the laboratory. So it becomes necessary to create a whole set of specialized
machine-tools in order to speed up the process of nanobots construction and designing.

14

6.2 HARDWARE
The ideal nanobot consist of a transporting mechanism, an internal processor and a fuel unit of some kind
that enables it to function. The main difficulty arises around this fuel unit, since most conventional forms
of robotic propulsion cant be shrunk to nanoscale with current technology. Scientists have succeeded in
reducing a robot to five or six millimetres, but this size still technically qualifies it as a macro-robot.

Fig 2: Components of a Nano Robot

6.2.1 Nanosensor
Nanosensors can be any biological, chemical, or surgical sensory points used to convey information
about nanoparticles to the macroscopic world. Their use mainly includes various medicinal purposes and
as gateways to building other nanoproducts, such as computer chips that work at the nanoscale and
nanorobots. Medicinal uses of nanosensors mainly revolve around the potential of nanosensors to
accurately identify particular cells or places in the body in need. By measuring changes
in volume, concentration, displacement,

speed,

velocity, gravitational, electrical

and

magnetic forces, pressure, or temperature of cells in a body, nanosensors may be able to distinguish
between and recognize certain cells.

15

6.2.2 Molecular Sorting Rotor

A class of nano-mechanical devices capable of binding/releasing molecules from/to solution and
transporting these bound molecules against significant gradients.

6.2.3 Fins
A fin is a surface used for stability and/or to produce lift and thrust or to steer while traveling in water,
air, or other fluid media. Nanorobot can move with the help of these fins.

6.3 NANOROBOT NAVIGATION

There are three main considerations scientists need to focus on when looking at nanorobots moving
through the body-navigation, power and how the nanorobots will move through blood vessels. These can
be divided into one of two categories: external systems and onboard systems.

6.3.1 External Navigation Systems

External navigation systems are one of these methods is to use ultrasonic signals to detect the nanorobot's
location and direct it to the right destination. The signals would either pass through the body; reflect back
to the source of the signals, or both. The nanorobot could emit pulses of ultrasonic signals, which could
be detected using special equipment with ultrasonic sensors.
Using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device, doctors could locate and track a nanorobot by
detecting its magnetic field. Doctors might also track nanorobots by injecting a radioactive dye into the
patient's bloodstream. Other methods of detecting the nanorobot include using X-rays, radio waves,
microwaves or heat.

16

6.3.2 Onboard Systems

Onboard systems, or internal sensors, might also play a large role in navigation. A nanorobot with
chemical sensors could detect and follow the trail of specific chemicals to reach the right location. A
spectroscopic sensor would allow the nanorobot to take samples of surrounding tissue, analyze them and
follow a path of the right combination of chemicals.

6.4 POWER SOURCES

There are mainly two power sources used for nanorobots internal power sources and external power
sources.

6.4.1 Internal Power Sources

A nanorobot could use the patient's body heat to create power, but there would need to be a gradient of
temperatures to manage it. Power generation would be a result of the See beck effect. Capacitor which
has a slightly better power-to-weight ratio can also used.

6.4.2 External Power Sources

External power sources include systems where the nanorobot is either tethered to the outside world or is
controlled without a physical tether. Tethered systems would need a wire between the nanorobot and the
power source. The wire would need to be strong, but it would also need to move effortlessly through the
human body without causing damage. A physical tether could supply power either by electricity or
optically. Experimenting with in Montreal, can either manipulate the nanorobot directly or induce an
electrical current in a closed conducting loop in the robot.

17

6.5 PROCEDURE
The basic idea behind nanorobotics is to manipulate objects at scale of nanometers. Nanorobots might
function at the atomic or molecular level to build devices, machines, or circuits, a process known as
molecular manufacturing.
There are basically two approaches followed in implementing nanorobots:
1. The first approach is biochip which provides a possible approach to manufacturing nanorobots for
common medical applications, such as for surgical instrumentation, diagnosis and drug delivery. This
method for manufacturing on nanotechnology scale is currently in use in the electronics industry. So,
practical nanorobots should be integrated as nanoelectronics devices, which will allow tele-operation
and advanced capabilities for medical instrumentation.
2. The second approach is self-reconfigurable modular robots also known as Fractal robots. Selfreconfiguring robots are also able to deliberately change their own shape by rearranging the
connectivity of their parts, in order to adapt to new circumstances, perform new tasks, or recover
from damage.

18

CHAPTER 7

Biochips
7.1 THE IDEA BEHIND BIOCHIP
A biochip is a collection of miniaturized test sites (microarrays) arranged on a solid substrate that permits
many tests to be performed at the same time in order to achieve higher throughput and speed. Like a
computer chip that can perform millions of mathematical operations in one second, a biochip can perform
thousands of biological reactions, such as decoding genes, in a few seconds. Biochips helped to
dramatically accelerate the identification of the estimated 80,000 genes in human DNA, an ongoing
world-wide research collaboration known as the Human genome project . Developing a plat-form
incorporates electronics for addressing, reading out,
The biochip platform can be plugged in a peripheral standard bus of the analyzer device or communicate
through a wireless channel. Biochip technology has emerged from the fusion of biotechnology and
micro/nanofabrication technology. Biochips enable us to realize revolutionary new bio analysis systems
that can directly manipulate and analyze the micro/nano-scale world of bio molecules, organelles and
cells.
The development of biochips is a major thrust of the rapidly growing biotechnology industry, which
encompasses a very diverse range of research efforts including genomics, proteomics, computational
biology, and pharmaceuticals, among other activities. Advances in these areas are giving scientists new
methods for unraveling the complex biochemical processes occurring inside cells, with the larger goal of
understanding and treating human diseases. At the same time, the semiconductor industry has been
steadily perfecting the science of microminiaturization. The merging of these two fields in recent years
has enabled biotechnologists to begin packing their traditionally bulky sensing tools into smaller and
smaller spaces, onto so-called biochips. These chips are essentially miniaturized laboratories that can
perform hundreds or thousands of simultaneous biochemical reactions. Biochips enable researchers to
quickly screen large numbers of biological analytes for a variety of purposes, from disease diagnosis to
detection of bioterrorism agents.

19

7.2 COMPONENTS OF BIOCHIP

Biochip implant consists of two components:
1. Transponder
2. Reader or scanner

7.2.1 Transponder
The transponder is the actual biochip implant. It is a passive transponder it contains no battery or energy
of its own. In comparison, an active transponder would provide its own energy source, normally a small
battery. Because the passive biochip contains no battery, or nothing to wear out, it has a very long life, up
to 99 years, and no maintenance overheads.

Fig 3: Components of Biochip

Transponder consists of 4 parts:

Computer Microchip: The microchip stores a unique identification number from 10 to 15 digits
long. The storage capacity of the current microchips is limited, capable of storing only a single ID
number. The unique ID number is etched or encoded via a laser onto the surface of the microchip
before assembly.

20

 Antenna Coil: This is normally a simple, coil of copper wire around a ferrite or iron core. This tiny,
primitive, radio antenna receives and sends signals from the reader or scanner.
Tuning Capacitor: The capacitor stores the small electrical charge sent by the reader or scanner,
which triggers the transponder. This activation allows the transponder to send back the ID number
encoded in the computer chip. As radio waves are utilized to communicate between the transponder
and reader, the capacitor is tuned to the same frequency as the reader.
Glass Capsule: The glass capsule holds the microchip, antenna coil and capacitor. The capsule is
made of biocompatible material such as soda lime glass. After assembly, the capsule is hermetically
(air-tight) sealed, so no bodily fluids can touch the electronics inside.

7.2.2 Reader or Scanner

The reader consists of an coil which creates an electromagnetic field that, via radio signals, provides the
necessary energy to "excite" or "activate" the implanted biochip. The reader also carries a receiving coil
that receives the transmitted code or ID number sent back from the "activated" implanted biochip. The
reader also contains the software and components to decode the received code and display the result in an
LCD display.

Fig 4: Biochip Scanner

21

7.3 WORKING

The reader generates a low-power electromagnetic field via radio signals.

Implanted biochip gets activated.
Biochip sends ID code back to the reader via radio signals.
Reader amplifies the received code, converts it to digital format and displays it on LCD.

7.4 APPLICATIONS
Biochips have found their applications all over the world .Some of the applications are listed below.

7.4.1 Genomics
Genomics is the study of gene sequences in living organisms and being able to read and interpret them.
The human genome has been the biggest project undertaken to date but there are many research projects
around the world trying to map the gene sequences of other organisms.

7.4.2 Proteomics
Proteome analysis or Proteomics is the investigation of all the proteins present in a cell, tissue or
organism. The use of Biochip facilitates High throughput proteomic analysis, Multi-dimensional micro
separations (pre LC/MS) to achieve high plate number and Electro kinetic sample injection for fast,
reproducible, samples.

7.4.3 Bio-diagnostics
Bio-diagnostics or bio-sensing is the field of sensing biological molecules based on electrochemical,
biochemical, optical, luminometric methods. The use of biochip facilitates development of sensors which
involves optimization of the platform, reduction in detection time and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

22

CHAPTER 8

Nano Robotics in EveryDay Life

Nanotechnology
efficient,

opens

performance

and

the

way

intelligent

towards
materials,

new
towards

production
new

design

routes,
of

structures

more
and

related monitoring and maintenance systems.

8.1 Space Technology

There are mainly two applications of nanorobotics in space technology:
1. Swarms
2. Space Colonization

8.1.1 Swarms
Swarms are nanorobots that act in unison like bees. They theoretically act like flexible cloth material and
being composed of what is called Bucky Tubes. This cloth will act as strong as diamond. If a nano
computer is added to nanomachine a smart cloth is found. The smart cloth could be used to keep
astronauts from bouncing around in their own aircraft while they sleep, a problem that arises when
autopilot computer fires course correction rockets. This cloth like material will be able to offset the
sudden movements and slowly move the astronauts to their position.

8.1.2 Space Colonization

Nanorobots can be used in carrying out construction projects in hostile environments.
For example, with a handful of replicating robots, utilizing local material and local energy, it is
conceivable that space habitats can be completely constructed by remote control so that habitants need
only show up their suitcases.

23

8.2 Electronics
In todays world very large scale integration is done on the electronic chips. Each chip contains millions
of electronic circuits. For a proper functioning each circuitry must be designed with high percesion. As
nano robots can operate at nano scale fabrication of such chips can be easily done.

8.3 Medical
Potential applications for nanorobotics in medicine include early diagnosis and targeted drug-delivery
for cancer,

arteriosclerosis,

blood

clots,

kidney

stones,

wounds

biomedical

instrumentation, surgery, pharmacokinetics monitoring of diabetes and health care.

In such plans, future medical nanotechnology is expected to employ nanorobots injected into the patient
to perform work at a cellular level. Such nanorobots intended for use in medicine should be nonreplicating, as replication would needlessly increase device complexity, reduce reliability, and interfere
with the medical mission.

8.3.1 Treating Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis refers to a condition where plaque builds along the walls of arteries. Nanorobots could
conceivably treat the condition by cutting away the plaque, which would then enter the bloodstream.

8.3.2 Breaking Up Blood Clots

Blood clots can cause complications ranging from muscle death to a stroke. Nanorobots could travel to a
clot and break it up. This application is one of the most dangerous uses for nanorobots the robot must
be able to remove the blockage without losing small pieces in the bloodstream, which could then travel
elsewhere in the body and cause more problems. The robot must also be small enough so that it doesn't
block the flow of blood itself.

24

8.3.3 Fighting Cancer

Doctors hope to use nanorobots to treat cancer patients. The robots could either attack tumours directly
using lasers, microwaves or ultrasonic signals or they could be part of a chemotherapy treatment,
delivering medication directly to the cancer site. Doctors believe that by delivering small but precise
doses of medication to the patient, side effects will be minimized without a loss in the medication's
effectiveness.

8.3.4 Helping the Body Clot

One particular kind of nanorobots is the clottocyte, or artificial platelet. The clottocyte carries a
small mesh net that dissolves into a sticky membrane upon contact with blood plasma. According
to Robert A. Freitas, Jr., the man who designed the clottocyte, clotting could be up to 1,000 times
faster than the body's natural clotting mechanism. Doctors could use clottocytes to treat
haemophiliacs or patients with serious open wounds.

8.3.5 Parasite Removal

Nanorobots could wage micro-war on bacteria and small parasitic organisms inside a patient. It
might take several nanorobots working together to destroy all the parasites.

8.3.6 Gout
Gout is a condition where the kidneys lose the ability to remove waste from the breakdown
of fats from the bloodstream. This waste sometimes crystallizes at points near joints like the knees
and ankles. People who suffer from gout experience intense pain at these joints. A nanorobot could
break up the crystalline structures at the joints, providing relief from the symptoms, though it
wouldn't be able to reverse the condition permanently.

8.3.7 Cleaning Wounds

Nanorobots could help remove debris from wounds, decreasing the likelihood of infection. They
would be particularly useful in cases of puncture wounds, where it might be difficult to treat using
more conventional methods.

25

8.3.8 Removing Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can be intensely painful -- the larger the stone the more difficult it is to pass.
Doctors break up large kidney stones using ultrasonic frequencies, but it's not always effective. A
nanorobot could break up a kidney stones using a small laser.

Fig 5: Nanobot in Kidney Treatment

26

CHAPTER 9

Challenges
9.1 TECHNOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS
Although there is much progress in the nanorobotics .This technology is still in research and
development phase, only few primitive designs have been tested. These machines cant be fully
relied. It is hard to predict the behaviour of nanorobots.

9.2 SECURITY THREATS

With the help of nano robotics more advance weapons can be designed. Atomic weapons can now
be more accessible and made to be more powerful and more destructive. These can also become
more accessible with the help of nanotechnology.

9.3 MANUFACTURING COST

Presently, nanotechnology is very expensive and developing it can cost you a lot of money. It is
also pretty difficult to manufacture, which is probably why products made with nanotechnology are
more

expensive.

That

is

why

27

nanorobots

are

too

expensive.

CONCLUSION
Nano medicine will eliminate virtually all common diseases of the 20th century, virtually all medical
pain and suffering, and allow the extension of human capabilities most especially our mental abilities.
Consider that a nanostructure data storage device measuring ~8,000 micron3, a cubic volume about the
size of a single human liver cell and smaller than a typical neuron, could store an amount of information
equivalent to the entire Library of Congress. If implanted somewhere in the human brain, together with
the appropriate interface mechanisms, such a device could allow extremely rapid access to this
information.
A single Nano computer CPU, also having the volume of just one tiny human cell, could compute at the
rate of 10 teraflops (1013 floating-point operations per second), approximately equalling (by many
estimates) the computational output of the entire human brain. Such a Nano computer might produce
only about 0.001 watt of waste heat, as compared to the ~25 watts of waste heat for the biological brain
in which the Nano computer might be embedded.
But, perhaps the most important long-term benefit to human society as a whole could be the dawning of
a new era of peace. We could hope that people who are independently well-fed, well-clothed, wellhoused, smart, well-educated, healthy and happy will have little motivation to make war. Human beings
who have a reasonable prospect of living many "normal" lifetimes will learn patience from experience,
and will be extremely unlikely to risk those "many lifetimes" for any but the most compelling of reasons.

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SCOPE OF FUTURE WORK

Teams around the world are working on creating the first practical medical nanorobot. Robots ranging
from a millimetre in diameter to a relatively hefty two centimetres long already exist, though they are all
still in the testing phase of development and haven't been used on people. We're probably several years
away from seeing Nano robots enter the medical market. Today's micro robots are just prototypes that lack
the ability to perform medical tasks.
In the future, nanorobots could revolutionize medicine. Doctors could treat everything from heart
disease to cancer using tiny robots the size of bacteria, a scale much smaller than today's robots. Robots
might work alone or in teams to eradicate disease and treat other conditions. Some believe that
semiautonomous nanorobots are right around the corner-doctors would implant robots able to patrol a
human's body, reacting to any problems that pop up. Unlike acute treatment, these robots would stay in the
patient's body forever.
Another potential future application of nanorobot technology is to re-engineer our bodies to become
resistant to disease, increase our strength or even improve our intelligence. Dr. Richard Thompson, a
former professor of ethics, has written about the ethical implications of nanotechnology. He says the most
important tool is communication, and that it's pivotal for communities, medical organizations and the
government to talk about nanotechnology now, while the industry is still in its infancy.
Will we one day have thousands of microscopic robots rushing around in our veins, making corrections
and healing our cuts, bruises and illnesses? With nanotechnology, it seems like anything is possible.

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REFERENCES
[1] http://www.academia.edu/2427177/NANOROBOTICS
[2] http://nanogloss.com/
[3] http://www.foresight.org/Conferences/MNT8/Papers/Rubinstein/
[4] www.sciencedaily.com/articles/n/nanorobotics.htm
[5] http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/nanorobot.htm
[6] http://nanolab.me.cmu.edu/
[7] http://www.nanorobotdesign.com/

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