A

SAMINAR REPORT
ON

NANOROBOTICS

BY
SHINDE SANJAY PRAKASH
ROLL NO.123478
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF
Prof. BHAGWAT V.B.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,

VIDYA PRATISHTHANS COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING, BARAMATI
2012-13

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the paper entitled NANOROBOTICS being submitted by
Mr.SANJAY PRAKASH SHINDE to university of pune for the partial fulfillment of award of
degree bachelor in engineering with specialization in Mechanical is a record of bonafied work
carried out by him under our supervision and guidance. Further it is certified that the work done
by him is original and carried out under my guidance.

Prof. BHAGWAT V.B.

GUIDE
MECHANICAL ENGG. DEPT.

Prof. P.R. CHITRAGAR

H.O.D
MECHANICAL ENGG. DEPT.

Dr. S.B. DEOSARKAR

PRINCIPAL
VPCOE, BARAMATI

EXAMINED BY

INTERNAL EXAMINAR

INTERNAL EXAMINAR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This is to acknowledge and thank all individuals who played defining role in shaping this
seminar report. Without their consent support, guidance and assistance this seminar report would
not have been completed. Without their coordination, guidance and reviewing, this task could not
be completed alone.
I would personally thank Prof.P.R.CHITRAGAR HOD of Mechanical Department at
Vidya Pratishthans College of Engineering (VPCOE) who, with such undying interest reviewed
and enclosed this seminar report. I take the opportunity to thank respected Prof. BHAGWAT
V.B. my seminar guide for his generous assistance
I would like to thank our honorable principal Dr. S.B. DEOSARKAR sir who creates a
healthy environment for all of us to learn in best possible way.

SHINDE SANJAY PRAKASH

TE MECH
Roll No.123478

ABSTRACT
Nanorobotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or close to the
microscopic scale of a nanometer(109meters). More specifically, nanorobotics refers to the
still largely hypothetical nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building
nanorobots, devices ranging in size from 0.1-10 micrometers and constructed of nanoscale or
molecular components.
The advanced nanorobotics technology needed to manipulate materials at this scale, a
million times smaller than a grain of sand, is being developed .Due to modern technologies it
is possible to create some nanorobots. This nanorobots are mainly used in medical treatments
of cancer and other diseases. Image processing/vision control and sophisticated sensors, will
be the key to releasing such nano-manipulation.
This seminar presents the major aspects, study, applications of nano robotics
which are at the verge of implementation and would be no less than revolution in the field of
medicine if brought into reality. This seminar also presents how nanorobots works, their
importance and Advantages and disadvantages of nanorobotics.

II

LIST OF FIGURES
FIG.NO.

TITLE

PAGE NO.

E-coli cell bacterium cell

02

Blood swimming robot

03

Engineers are working on building smaller capacitors

05

Robot treating Arteriosclerosis

07

Treatment of kidney stones

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Two centimeter long robot

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III

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
LIST OF FIGURES

I
II
III

INDEX
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 NANOROBOT INSPIRATION
1.3 WORKING OF NANOROBOTS
1.3.1 NANOROBOTS NAVIGATION
1.3.2 POWERING THE NANOROBOT

1.4 IMPORTANCE OF NANOROBOTS

1.4.1 BREAKING UP OF BLOOD CLOTS
1.4.2 TREATING ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
1.4.3 FIGHTING CANCER
1.4.4 GOUT
1.4.5 BREAKINGUP KIDNEY STONES

1.5 NANOROBOTS TODAY AND TOMORROW

1.6 APPLICATIONS
1.6..1NANOROBOTS IN TREATMENT OF DIABETES
1.6.2 NANOROBOTS IN CANCER TREATMENT
1.6.3 NANOROBOTS IN SURGERY
1.6.4 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE
1.6.5 NANOMACHINES
1.6.6 TOXICITY DETECTORS
1.6.7 SINGLE MOLECULE CAR
1.6.8 NUBOTS

1.7 ADVANTAGES& DISADVANTAGES

1.7.1 ADVANTAGES
1.7.2 DISADVANTAGES

1.8 CONCLUSION
REFERANCE

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IV

1.1

INTRODUCTION
Nanorobotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or close to the

microscopic scale of a nanometer (109meters). More specifically, nanorobotics refers to

the still largely hypothetical nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and
building nanorobots and devices ranging in size from 0.1-10 micrometers and constructed
of nanoscale or molecular components. As of 2010 nobody has yet built artificial nonbiological nanorobots: they remain a hypothetical concept. The names nanorobots,
nanoids, nanites or nanomites have also been used to describe these hypothetical devices.
Nano-machines are largely in the research-and-development phase, but some
primitive molecular machines

have been tested. An

example is a sensor having a

switch approximately 1.5 nanometers across, capable of counting specific molecules in a

chemical sample. The first useful applications of nano-machines, if such are ever built,
might be in medical technology, which might use them to identify and destroy cancer
cells. Another potential application is the detection of toxic chemicals, and the
measurement of their concentrations, in the environment. Nanotechnology promises
futuristic applications such as microscopic robots that assemble other machines or travel
inside the body to deliver drugs or do microsurgery.

1.2 NANOROBOT INSPIRATION

Assuming the nanorobot isn't tethered or designed to float passively through the
bloodstream, it will need a means of propulsion to get around the body. Because it may
have to travel against the flow of blood, the propulsion system has to be relatively strong
for its size. Another important consideration is the safety of the patient -- the system must
be able to move the nanorobot around without causing damage to the host.

Figure No. 1:Nanorobot designers sometimes look at microscopic organisms for

propulsion inspiration, like the flagellum on this e-coli cell.

Some scientists are looking at the world of microscopic organisms for inspiration.
Paramecium move through their environment using tiny tail-like limbs called cilia. By
vibrating the cilia, the paramecium can swim in any direction. Similar to cilia are flagella,
which are longer tail structures. Organisms whip flagella around in different ways to
move around.
Scientists in Israel created microrobot, a robot only a few millimeters in length,
which uses small appendages to grip and crawl through blood vessels. The scientists
manipulate the arms by creating magnetic fields outside the patient's body.

1.3 WORKING OF NANOROBOTS

Imagine going to the doctor to get treatment for a persistent fever. Instead of
giving you a pill or a shot, the doctor refers you to a special medical team which implants
a tiny robot into your bloodstream. The robot detects the cause of your fever, travels to
the appropriate system and provides a dose of medication directly to the infected area.

Figure No. 2:The robot in this illustration swims through the arteries and veins using a pair of
tail appendages.

Surprisingly, we are not that far off from seeing devices like this actually used in
medical procedures. They are called nanorobots and engineering teams around the world
are working to design robots that will eventually be used to treat everything from
hemophilia to cancer.

1.3.1 NANOROBOT NAVIGATION

There are three main considerations scientists need to focus on when looking at
nanorobots moving through the body navigation, power and how the nanorobots will
move through blood vessels. Nanotechnologists are looking at different options for each
of these considerations, each of which has positive and negative aspects. Most options
can be divided into one of two categories: external systems and onboard systems.

External navigation systems might use a variety of different methods to pilot the
nanorobot to the right location. One of these methods is to use ultrasonic signals to detect
the nanorobot's location and direct it to the right destination. Doctors would beam
ultrasonic signals into the patient's body. The signals would either pass through the body,
reflect back to the source of the signals, or both. The nanorobot could emit pulses of
ultrasonic signals, which doctors could detect using special equipment with ultrasonic
sensors. Doctors could keep track of the nanorobot's location and maneuver it to the right
part of the patient's body.
Other devices sound even more exotic. One would use capacitors to generate
magnetic fields that would pull conductive fluids through one end of an electromagnetic
pump and shoot it out the back end. The nanorobot would move around like a jet
airplane. Miniaturized jet pumps could even use blood plasma to push the nanorobot
forward, though, unlike the electromagnetic pump, there would need to be moving parts.
Another potential way nanorobots could move around is by using a vibrating
membrane. By alternately tightening and relaxing tension on a membrane, a nanorobot
could generate small amounts of thrust. On the nanoscale, this thrust could be significant
enough to act as a viable source of motion.

1.3.2 POWERING THE NANOROBOT

Just like the navigation systems, nanotechnologists are considering both external
and internal power sources. Some designs rely on the nanorobot using the patient's own
body as a way of generating power. Other designs include a small power source on board
the robot itself. Finally, some designs use forces outside the patient's body to power the
robot.
Nanorobots could get power directly from the bloodstream. A nanorobot with
mounted electrodes could form a battery using the electrolytes found in blood. Another
option is to create chemical reactions with blood to burn it for energy. The nanorobot
would hold a small supply of chemicals that would become a fuel source when combined
with blood.

A nanorobot could use the patient's body heat to create power, but there would
need to be a gradient of temperatures to manage it. Power generation would be a result of
the Seebeck effect. The Seebeck effect occurs when two conductors made of different
metals are joined at two points that are kept at two different temperatures. The metal
conductors become a thermocouple, meaning that they generate voltage when the
junctures are at different temperatures. Since it's difficult to rely on temperature gradients
within the body, it's unlikely we'll see many nanorobots use body heat for power.
While it might be possible to create batteries small enough to fit inside a
nanorobot, they aren't generally seen as a viable power source. The problem is that
batteries supply a relatively small amount of power related to their size and weight, so a
very small battery would only provide a fraction of the power a nanorobot would need. A
more likely candidate is a capacitor, which has a slightly better power-to-weight ratio.
Another possibility for nanorobot power is to use a nuclear power source. The
thought of a tiny robot powered by nuclear energy gives some people the willies, but
keep in mind the amount of material is small and, according to some experts, easy to
shield. Still, public opinions regarding nuclear power make this possibility unlikely at
best.

Figure No. 3:Engineers are working on building capacitors that will power technology like
nanorobots

The wire would need to be strong, but it would also need to move effortlessly
through the human body without causing damage. A physical tether could supply power
either by electricity or optically. Optical systems use light through fiber optics, which
would then need to be converted into electricity on board the robot.
Just like the navigation systems, nanotechnologists are considering both external
and internal power sources. Some designs rely on the nanorobot using the patient's own
body as a way of generating power. Other designs include a small power source on board
the robot itself. Finally, some designs use forces outside the patient's body to power the
robot.
Nanorobots could get power directly from the bloodstream. A nanorobot with
mounted electrodes could form a battery using the electrolytes found in blood. Another
option is to create chemical reactions with blood to burn it for energy. The nanorobot
would hold a small supply of chemicals that would become a fuel source when combined
with blood.

1.4 IMPORTANCE OF NANOROBOTICS FOR HEALTH

1.4.1 BREAKING UP OF BLOOD CLOTS
Blood clots can cause complications ranging from muscle death to a stroke.
Nanorobots could travel to a clot and break it up. This application is one of the most
dangerous uses for nanorobots the robot must be able to remove the blockage without
losing small pieces in the bloodstream, which could then travel elsewhere in the body and
cause more problems. The robot must also be small enough so that it doesn't block the
flow of blood itself

1.4.2 TREATING ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Arteriosclerosis refers to a condition where plaque builds along the walls of
arteries. Nanorobots could conceivably treat the condition by cutting away the plaque,
which would then enter the bloodstream refer below figure.

Figure No. 4 :Robots may treat conditions like arteriosclerosis by physically chipping
away the plaque along artery walls.

1.4.3 FIGHTING CANCER

Doctors hope to use nanorobots to treat cancer patients. The robots could either
attack tumors directly using lasers, microwaves or ultrasonic signals or they could be part
of a chemotherapy treatment, delivering medication directly to the cancer site. Doctors
believe that by delivering small but precise doses of medication to the patient, side effects
will be minimized without a loss in the medication's effectiveness.

1.4.4GOUT
Gout is a condition where the kidneys lose the ability to remove waste from the
breakdown of fats from the bloodstream. This waste sometimes crystallizes at points near
joints like the knees and ankles. People who suffer from gout experience intense pain at
these joints. A nanorobot could break up the crystalline structures at the joints, providing
relief from the symptoms, though it wouldn't be able to reverse the condition
permanently.

1.4.5 BREAKINGUPKIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones can be intensely painful. The larger the stone the more difficult it
is to pass. Doctors break up large kidney stones using ultrasonic frequencies, but it's not
always effective. A nanorobot could break up a kidney stones using a small laser.

Figure No. 5:Treatment of kidney stones

1.5 NANOROBOTS: TODAY AND TOMORROW

Teams around the world are working on creating the first practical medical
nanorobot. Robots ranging from a millimeter in diameter to a relatively hefty two
centimeters long already exist, though they are all still in the testing phase of
development and haven't been used on people. We're probably several years away from
seeing nanorobots enter the medical market. Today's microrobots are just prototypes that
lack the ability to perform medical tasks.

Figure No.6:Although this 2-centimeter-long robot is an impressive achievement, future

robots will be hundreds of times smaller.

1.6 APPLICATIONS
Several engineers, scientists and doctors believe that nanorobot applications are
practically unlimited. Some of the most likely uses are below

1.6.1 NANOROBOTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF

DIABETES
Glucose carried through the blood stream is important to maintain the human
metabolism working healthfully, and its correct level is a key issue in the diagnosis and
treatment of diabetes. Intrinsically related to the glucose molecules, the protein hSGLT3
has an important influence in Maintaining proper gastrointestinal cholinergic nerve and
skeletal muscle function activities, regulating extracellular glucose concentration. The
hSGLT3 molecule can serve to define the glucose levels for diabetes patients. The most
interesting aspect of this protein is the fact that it serves as a sensor to identify glucose.
The simulated nanorobot prototype model has embedded Complementary Metal Oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) Nano bioelectronics. It features a size of 2micrometer, which
permits it to operate freely inside the body, it detects glucose levels in blood stream. The
nanorobot can thus effectively determine if the patient needs to inject insulin or take any
further action, such as any medication clinically prescribed. The image of the NCD
(Nanorobot Control Design) simulator workspace shows the inside view of a venue blood
vessel with grid texture, red blood cells (RBCs) and Nanorobots. They flow with the
RBCs through the bloodstream detecting the glucose levels.

1.6.2 NANOROBOTS IN CANCER DETECTION AND TREATMENT

Cancer can be successfully treated with current stages of medical technologies
and therapy tools. However, a decisive factor to determine the chances for a patient with
cancer to survive is how earlier it was diagnosed; what means, if possible, a cancer
should be detected at least before the metastasis has begun Another important aspect to
achieve a successful treatment for patients, is the development of efficient targeted drug
delivery to decrease the side effects from chemotherapy.

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Considering the properties of nanorobots to navigate as blood borne devices, they

can help on such extremely important aspects of cancer therapy. Nanorobots with
embedded chemical biosensors can be used to perform detection of tumor cells in early
stages of development inside the patient's body. Integrated Nano sensors can be utilized
for such a task in order to find intensity of E-cadherin signals. Therefore a hardware
architecture based on Nano bioelectronics is described for the application of nanorobots
for cancer therapy. Analyses and conclusions for the proposed model is obtained through
real time 3D simulation.

1.6.3 NANOROBOTS IN SURGERY

Surgical nanorobots could be introduced into the body through the vascular
system or at the ends of catheters into various vessels and other cavities in the human
body. A surgical nanorobot, programmed or guided by a human surgeon, could act as a
semiautonomous on-site surgeon inside the human body. Such a device could perform
various functions such as searching for pathology and then diagnosing and correcting
lesions by Nano manipulation, coordinated by an on-board computer while maintaining
contact with the supervising surgeon via coded ultrasound signals. The earliest forms of
cellular Nanosurgery are already being explored today. For example, a rapidly vibrating
(100 Hz) micropipette with a <1 micron tip diameter has been used to completely cut
dendrites
From single neurons without damaging cell viability. Taxonomy of roundworm
neurons was performed by fem to second laser surgery, after which the axons
functionally regenerated. A femtolaser acts like a pair of Nano-scissors by vaporizing
tissue locally while leaving adjacent tissue unharmed. Different parts of the body.
Nanorobots swallowed by a patient for diagnostic purposes approach the surface of the
stomach lining to begin their search for signs of infection.

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1.6.4 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE

Atomic scope microscope is on the instrument which could be considered as
nanorobotics instrument. it is configured and manipulated at nanoscale and also used to
view the particle of an element or material at the smallest level. in the field of medical
sciences atomic scope microscope is used to diagnose the cancer and other fatal bacteria.

1.6.5 NANOMACHINES
Nanomachines are widely in research these days. Researchers have developed
some of the testifying samples, one of the example of these molecular machines is the
sensor having capability of counting particular molecule in the chemical compounds.
There is no implementary application present in the medical field. But these machines if
properly developed for the medical applications, they could greatly help the doctors to
destroy the cancer cells.

1.6.6 TOXICITY DETECTORS

Another useful application is the detection of toxic chemicals and the
measurement of concentrated substances in the environment. These detectors will be very
useful and beneficial for the chemists in order to manage and reduce the toxicity
of chemicals.

1.6.7 SINGLE MOLECULE CAR

Recently, another demonstration of Nanorobotics is the single molecule car which
has Nano infrastructure. This car is developed by chemical process and has Bucky
ballwheels. It is configured by controlling the temperature in the air and also by
positioning the scanning tunnel microscope.

1.6.8 NUBOTS
Scientific field has given ignore new type of robots to the world which are known
as nubots.Nubot is the abbreviation of nucleic Acid Robots. These devices are operated
at Nano scale and are highly beneficial for demstrataing the DNA test and bloddcell
detect.

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1.7 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGE

1.7.1 ADVANTAGES:

Rapid elimination of disease.

Nanorobot might function at the atomic and molecular level to build devices.
Machines or circuits known as molecular manufacturing.

Nanorobots might also produce copies of themselves to replace worn-out Units, a

process called self-replication.

The major advantage of nanorobots is thought to be their durability, in Theory,

they can remain operational for years, decades or centuries.

In medical field we will have microscopic robots floating in our blood streams
fighting against cancer cells, AIDS HIV virus and genetic disorders or even
ageing.

Nanorobots will treat and find disease, and restore lost tissue at the cellular level.

Nanorobots will be able to monitor neuro-electric signals and stimulate bodily

systems.

1.7.2 DISADVANTAGES

The initial design cost is very high.

The design of the nanorobot is a very complicated one.

Maintenance is difficult

Hard to Interface, Customize and Design, Complex.

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1.8 CONCLUSION
In the future, nanorobots could revolutionize medicine. Doctors could treat
everything from heart disease to cancer using tiny robots the size of bacteria, a scale
much smaller than today's robots. Robots might work alone or in teams to eradicate
disease and treat other conditions. Some believe that semiautonomous nanorobots are
right around the corner -- doctors would implant robots able to patrol a human's body,
reacting to any problems that pop up. Unlike acute treatment, these robots would stay in
the patient's body forever.
Another potential future application of nanorobot technology is to re-engineer our
bodies to become resistant to disease, increase our strength or even improve our
intelligence. Dr. Richard Thompson, a former professor of ethics, has written about the
ethical implications of nanotechnology. He says the most important tool is
communication, and that it's pivotal for communities, medical organizations and the
government to talk about nanotechnology now, while the industry is still in its infancy.
Will we one day have thousands of microscopic robots rushing around in our
veins, making corrections and healing our cuts, bruises and illnesses? With
nanotechnology, it seems like anything is possible. Kudos to the engineers for this
revolution. Ultimately one can what a piece of work MAN is.

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REFERENCES

NANOROBOTS; Abhilash M; International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences

V1 (1)2010;Page number 1-10.

IMPORTANCE OF NANOROBOTICS IN HEALTH CARE;PRAJAPATI P.M

;INTERNATIONAL REASEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY ISSN 22308407; Page number 122-124.

NANOROBOTIC

CHALLENGES

IN

BIOMEDICAL

APPLICATIONS,

DESIGN AND CONTROL; Adriano Cavalcanti, Lior Rosen, Luiz C. Kretly,

Moshe Rosenfeld, Shmuel Einav ; IEEE ICECS Intl Conf. on Electronics,
Circuits and Systems.

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