Download 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…
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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
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Questions?