Solar Energy News  
SPACE MEDICINE
Microscale rockets can travel through cellular landscapes with precision
by Staff Writers
Philadelphia PA (SPX) Oct 28, 2019

Silica particles 4 mm in size can be moved in an aqueous medium without disturbing the surrounding particles. See video here

A new study from the lab of Thomas Mallouk shows how microscale "rockets," powered by acoustic waves and an onboard bubble motor, can be driven through 3D landscapes of cells and particles using magnets. The research was a collaboration between researchers at Penn and the University of San Diego, the Harbin Institute of Technology in Shenzhen, and Pennsylvania State University, where the study was initially conducted, and was published in Science Advances.

The origin story of the tiny rockets began with a fundamental scientific question: Could scientists design nano- and microscale vessels that use chemicals for fuel to travel through the human body? Fifteen years of research by Mallouk and others showed that the short answer was "yes," but researchers faced significant barriers for using these vessels in biomedical applications because the chemicals they used for fuel, like hydrogen peroxide, were toxic.

An "accidental" discovery led Mallouk and his group to focus on the use of a completely different type of fuel: sound waves. While trying to move their rockets with acoustic levitation, a process used to lift particles off a microscope slide with high-frequency sound waves, the group was surprised to find that ultrasound made the robots move at very fast speeds. Mallouk and his team decided to investigate this phenomenon further to see if they could use high-frequency sound waves to power their tiny vessels.

The group's latest paper details the design of the microscale rockets, resembling a round-bottomed cup 10 microns in length and 5 microns wide, or about the size of a particle of dust. The rounded cups are 3D printed using laser lithography and contain an outer layer of gold and inner layers of nickel and a polymer. Treatment with a hydrophobic chemical after the gold is cast causes an air bubble to form and become trapped inside the rocket's cavity.

In the presence of ultrasound waves, the bubble inside the rocket is excited by high-frequency oscillation at the water-air interface, which turns the bubble into an onboard motor. The rocket can then be steered using an external magnetic field.

Each individual rocket has its own resonant frequency, meaning that each member of a fleet can be driven independently from the others. The tiny rockets are also incredibly adept, able to travel up microscopic staircases and swim freely in three dimensions with the help of special fins.

One of the rocket's most unique features is their ability to move other particles and cells with sharp precision, even in crowded environments. The robotic vessels can either push particles in the desired direction or use a "tractor beam" approach to pull objects with an attractive force.

Mallouk says the ability to push objects without disturbing the environment "wasn't available on a larger scale," adding that the tractor beam approach used by larger-sized vessels isn't as good at precise movements. "There's a lot of control you can do at this length scale," he adds.

At this particular size, the rockets are large enough not to be impacted by Brownian motion, the random and erratic movements experienced by particles in the nanometer size range, but are small enough to move objects without disturbing the environment around them. "At this particular length scale, we're right at the crossover point between when the power is enough to affect other particles," says Mallouk.

By increasing or decreasing the amount of acoustic "fuel" the researchers provide the rockets, they can also control the speed of the tiny vessels. "If I want it to go slow, I can turn the power down, and if I want it to go really fast, I can turn the power up," explains Jeff McNeill, a graduate student who works on nano- and microscale motor projects. "That's a really useful tool."

Mallouk and his lab are already exploring a number of possible areas of further research, including ways to actuate the rockets with light, and making even smaller rockets that would be faster and stronger for their size. Future collaborations with engineers and roboticists at Penn, including Dan Hammer, Marc Miskin, Vijay Kumar, James Pikul, and Kathleen Stebe, could help make the rockets "smart" by allowing them to outfit the vessels with computer chips and sensors to give them autonomy and intelligence.

As the group considers the micro-rocket's broad medical potential from medical imaging to nano-robotics Mallouk says, "We'd like to have controllable robots that can do tasks inside the body: Deliver medicine, rotor rooter arteries, diagnostic snooping."

Research paper


Related Links
University of Pennsylvania
Space Medicine Technology and Systems


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


SPACE MEDICINE
New generation of intelligent bio-interfaces could overcome aspects of spinal cord injury
Washington DC (SPX) Oct 19, 2019
Spinal cord injury disrupts the connection between brain and body, causing devastating loss of physiological function to the wounded warfighter. In addition to paralysis, service members living with these injuries exhibit increased long-term morbidity due to factors such as respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Bridging the Gap Plus (BG+), a new DARPA program that combines neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and biological sensors, opens the possibility of overcoming the worst effect ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SPACE MEDICINE
Upcycling polyethylene plastic waste into lubricant oils

Turning plastic trash into treasure

Biofuels could be made from bacteria that grow in seawater rather than from crude oil

Pearson Fuels partners with World Energy to deliver an advanced E85 Flex Fuel

SPACE MEDICINE
Assembler robots make large structures from little pieces

Researchers build a soft robot with neurologic capabilities

Army bio-inspired theoretical research may make robots more effective on the future battlefield

Facebook researchers use maths for better translations

SPACE MEDICINE
Wind turbine design and placement can mitigate negative effect on birds

Computer models show clear advantages in new types of wind turbines

Model helps choose wind farm locations, predicts output

Norway's Equinor, British SSE chosen for world's biggest offshore wind farm

SPACE MEDICINE
France loses diesel pollution fight in EU court

Tesla shares rev higher after update on profits, China

Driverless cars could lead to more traffic congestion

Hover-taxi whizzes over Singapore, firm eyes Asian push

SPACE MEDICINE
Magneto-inertial fusion experiment nears completion

Fuel injection helps reduce magnetic island instabilities

Taking new angle to enable more efficient, compact fusion power plants

Army Air Force meteorologist turned material scientist shares the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019

SPACE MEDICINE
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy announces small modular reactor technology collaboration in Poland

A new stable form of plutonium discovered at the ESRF

Two in tight race to lead UN nuclear watchdog

Putin says UAE may count on Russia's assistance in development of nuclear power

SPACE MEDICINE
S.Africa to increase coal-fired energy, sparking climate outcry

To save climate, tax carbon at $75 per ton: IMF

How to Harmonise Wildlife and Energy Manufacturing

Canada, if Trudeau wins, to hit net zero emissions by 2050: minister

SPACE MEDICINE
From hotbed of crime to joggers' paradise: Nairobi forest thrives

Study reveals dry season increase in photosynthesis in Amazon rain forest

Use the Amazon's natural bounty to save it: experts

International research community calls for recognition of forests' role in human prosperity









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.