Motile microrobotics: From microelectronic jet engines to single-cell cyborgs

Date

Nov 28, 2019

Time

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker

Oliver G. Schmidt

Affiliation

Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden, Germany

Language

en

Main Topic

Biologie

Host

Ronald Naumann

Description

This talk addresses key challenges in the field of motile microbotics [1]. These include the concept of powerful self-propelled microelectronic jet engines [2] that integrate diverse functions into a single platform such as wireless energy transfer, controllable catalytic reactions, steerability in the absence of magnetic fields and structural flexibility [3]. These motile microrobots are the smallest self-propelled microelectronic systems to date. We employ cutting edge infrared and optoacoustic imaging to track single micromotors in real time in deep tissue with high resolution [3,4]. Overcoming these key challenges are promising for diverse microbiomedical applications such as new approaches towards artificial reproduction technologies and active targeted drug delivery [5-7]. For instance, we demonstrate that sperm-based cybernetic organisms (cyborgs) [5,6] loaded with anti-cancer drugs can transport, deliver and kill human tumor cells, thus offering a new approach towards gynecological cancer treatment [7,8]. Apart from targeted drug delivery, spermbots are promising microswimmers when it comes to efficient motion through flowing blood. Relevant strategies of these hybrid microbiorobots to attain this formidable swimming task will be revealed [9].

Last modified: Nov 29, 2019, 12:09:57 AM