Researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel have created a microrobot about 10 micrometers in size that
Robots that use for movementmotorized micromotors have many advantages, the developers explain. They can perform selective loading, transport and unloading of cargo, as well as the ability to use electricity to "deform" cells. At the same time, such motors have the disadvantage that they are inefficient in certain environments characterized by relatively high electrical conductivity, such as the physiological environment.
To solve this problem, researcherssupplemented the microrobot with an electric motor with a control system using a magnetic field. To do this, they coated green fluorescent polystyrene spheres successively with chromium, nickel (a ferromagnetic material) and gold. After manufacturing, the finished particles were magnetized. Such a hybrid engine does not require fuel or direct contact between the magnet and body tissues, and it can be precisely controlled, the engineers explain.
To demonstrate the technology, researchersused a microrobot to capture one red blood cell, cancer cells, and one bacterium. They also demonstrated that such devices can distinguish between a healthy cell and a drug-damaged cell, or a dying cell from one undergoing apoptosis, a regulated cell death. Once captured, the cell can be transferred to an external instrument for further analysis.
Although the tests of the microrobot took place outsidehuman body, the researchers hope that it will soon be possible to test it in vivo. They believe that the technology will be suitable for medical diagnostics, gene editing and drug delivery.
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