Drug-Ferrying Microbot Powered by Stomach Acid

Jan-21-15 Researchers have developed a microbot powered by stomach acid that could be used to deliver medicines directly into the stomach lining.

The microbot is the first to be tested inside an actual living animal rather than in a cell sample. The bots consist of polymer tubes 20 micrometers long and coated in zinc, which will react with the stomach acid to create hydrogen bubbles. These bubbles turn the tubes into "mini torpedoes," propelling them forward to lodge in the mucus lining of the stomach where they deliver their payload of drugs. Unlike previous self-propelled motors, the zinc-coated polymer is non-toxic and safe for living animals.

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMODO.COM]
[NEWSCIENTIST.COM]

---