Nanomotors Controlled Within Living Cells

Feb-15-14 Bringing us a step closer to the Fantastic Voyage, researchers have inserted nanomotors inside living cells and then steered the motors within the cells.

The tiny “rocket-shaped metal particles” were introduced to a sample of cervical cancer cells, which then ingested the nanomotors. The motors were powered externally by ultrasonic waves, which caused them to spin around or move forward and bump into the structures within the cell. Applying magnetic forces allowed the team to steer the motors more precisely, and the team discovered they were also able to control the motors independently.

Independent control is particularly valuable, according to Tom Mallouk, because "If you want these motors to seek out and destroy cancer cells, for example, it's better to have them move independently. You don't want a whole mass of them going in one direction."

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[PENN STATE]

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