A new type of laser-driven nanomotors created by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) will help deliver medicinal compounds directly to the desired organ. This was reported by the publication Nature.

Often, doctors cannot cope with this or that disease because of the inaccessibility to the necessary organ.. Mark Miskin, associate professor of the university said: “People cannot reduce themselves to miniature sizes, so we decided to create“ helpers ”who could penetrate into the most diverse corners of the human body, helping to restore the function of organs.”.

At present, various structures have already been created that deliver drugs to certain cells, but the problem is that the assembly of large nanostructures causes a number of technological difficulties.. In addition, according to the researchers, many motorized structures cannot be reduced to the desired microscopic size.. “A new type of engine for microrobots created by our specialists will help solve this problem,” added Miskin.

The shape of the engine resembles the limbs of an insect. Thin plates made of platinum, titanium, silicon and polymers were used for the construction.. The micro-robots are set in motion by the action of a current on the plates, which changes their shape and causes movement. Exposure to electrolyte or water plates enhances this effect..

And this means that getting into a viscous and thick medium will only enhance their movement. Scientists decided to use these properties and additionally equip microrobots with photosensors..

In the nearest plans of the researchers - the creation of completely autonomous medical or scientific nanorobots with the ability to independently make decisions and eliminate the problem, when it enters the human body, as well as its cells, without causing harm and discomfort..

med-heal. ru.