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Robotics & Automation . Presentation “Current State of the Art Nanorobotics ”. Who are we?. Ryan Oswald (4 th year MEng Software Engineering) Andrew Sharp (4 th year MEng Computing & Electronics) Elliot Hunter (4 th year MEng Computing & Electronics) . Topics of Discussion.
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Robotics & Automation 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…
Timeline: Where We Go Next The future is certainly bright when it comes to medicine. • 2008: Nano-agents for analysis inside cells • 2013: Nanotools for manipulation inside cells • 2015: Self-repairing in artificial systems • 2018: In vitro construction of human organs • 2021: Nanomachines inside the body • Cell Repair: Instead of surgery, which can only encourage healing. • Future? Nanobots will be able to repair our cells for us.
Industrial Applications • Chemical Engineering • Control Runaway Reactions • Oil spills • Break down hydrocarbons • Atmospheric Regeneration • Break down CO2 • Regenerate Ozone
Dangers • Ecophagy • “Grey Goo” Scenario • Human Health • Side Effects • Moral & Ethical • Use as a weapon • Over-reliance
Thank You Questions?