Japanese Researchers Develop Breakthrough Method for Creating Molecular Robots

A team of researchers at Japan's Tohoku University has developed a new method for creating molecular robots out of self-organizing molecules.

Phys.org tells us that this groundbreaking technique employs phospholipids and synthetic surfactants to create artificial multicellular bodies.

The molecules can self-organize into desired shapes, forming micron-sized compartments that can then be combined to form macroscopic structures.

How They Did It

The lipid and surfactant mixture is coated onto a hydrophobic silicone sponge in this technique. When water is added, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic forces cause the lipids and surfactants to bind, allowing water to soak in.

After immersing the sponge in oil, the water is expelled from the solid support, resulting in stabilized aqueous droplets.

When these droplets are pipetted onto the water's surface, they quickly form larger planar macroscopic structures. By introducing magnetic nanoparticles into the hydrophobic walls of the multi-compartment structure, the team could also convert these structures into controllable devices with induced motion.

The findings were recently published in the journal Langmuir by the researchers, who included Associate Professor Shin-ichiro Nomura and postdoctoral researcher Richard Archer from the Department of Robotics at the Graduate School of Engineering.

Advantages of Multi-compartment Structures for Multicellular Robots

Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, this new method has several advantages. It enables the creation of complex structures at the microscopic level, which would be impossible with conventional engineering techniques.

In similar studies, researchers at Northwestern University developed a new soft water-based bot in 2020 that they claim can walk as fast as humans. The new technology can also fit into small and tight spaces.

Additionally, scientists created a novel material that can change hardness and elasticity in October 2022.

Potential Uses

Furthermore, the modular assembly approach allows for the creation of flexible modular designs with multiple functionalities. This groundbreaking method has significant potential applications.

The researchers claim that the new method has broader implications for the field of robotics. It could lead to developing robots made of molecules rather than steel that use functional chemicals rather than silicon chips and motors.

This has the potential to revolutionize the field of robotics by allowing for the development of more versatile and adaptable robots that can be tailored to specific tasks and environments.

The Tohoku University research team's breakthrough method for creating molecular robots using self-organizing molecules is a significant step forward in the field of molecular robotics.

In Other News

Following final validation by the US Department of Energy (DOE), Engadget reports that Sarcos Technology and Robotics plans to launch its autonomous robot for solar panel installation in 2024.

Its O-AMPP project, which began in 2021, was awarded $1.9 million by the DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office.

The Sarcos Robotic Solar Module Installation Solution includes an autonomous working vehicle with the Guardian XM intelligent manipulator robot and an autonomous delivery vehicle that delivers, detects, lifts, and places solar panels using computer vision and AI software.

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