Transcript Nanorobots
Presentation
“Current State of the Art Nanorobotics”
Who are we?
Ryan Oswald (4th year MEng Software Engineering)
Andrew Sharp (4th year MEng Computing &
Electronics)
Elliot Hunter (4th year MEng Computing &
Electronics)
Topics of Discussion
Ryan - Military uses of Nanorobotic technology.
Elliot - Medical uses of Nanobots, Nano technology.
Andrew - Industrial uses of Nanorobotics.
Future Medical Applications
Drug Delivery – Targeted delivery
system. 130 applications in progess
(2006)
Implantable Devices – Improvements
to cochlear and retinal implants
Surgical Tools – Obtain previously
unattainable levels of accuracy
through programmed robots. Internal
bloodless surgery a possibility
Genetic Testing – Much faster testing
of underlying and genetic conditions.
Medical Application (cont.)
Hormones
Scientists are currently working on nanorobots that monitor and regulate
the blood sugar levels of patients with diabetes by injecting insulin into the
bloodstream automatically when required1.
However, nanorobots could also be programmed to traverse the human
body and stimulate or inhibit hormone production in the endocrine system:
• Leptin
increases the rate of metabolism;
decreases one’s appetite.
• Progesterone & Oestrogen
prevent ovulation.
Military Applications
R.O.
As we have seen nanorobots could potentially be programmed to monitor and
regulate the production of hormones within the human body. So why not apply this
same theory in military applications?
Soldiers could be injected with nanobots before entering the battlefield that could
“monitor the medical and stress status of a soldier, releasing therapeutic drugs, hormones,
etc.”2:
• Benzedrine
increases alertness; decreases fatigue;
• Nootropics
increases cognition and motivation;
increases attention and concentration.
• Adrenalin
control heart rate and breathing
• Vitamins, Minerals, Sugars and other nutrients…
6
Timeline: Where We Go Next
The future is certainly bright when it comes to medicine.
2008: Nano-agents for analysis
inside cells
Cell Repair: Instead of surgery,
2013: Nanotools for manipulation
inside cells
Future? Nanobots will be able to
2015: Self-repairing in artificial
systems
2018: In vitro construction of human
organs
2021: Nanomachines inside the
body
which can only encourage healing.
repair our cells for us.
Industrial Applications
Chemical Engineering
Oil spills
Control Runaway Reactions
Break down hydrocarbons
Atmospheric Regeneration
Break down CO2
Regenerate Ozone
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Dangers
Ecophagy
Human Health
“Grey Goo” Scenario
Side Effects
Moral & Ethical
Use as a weapon
Over-reliance
9
Questions?