Japan built a micro robot controlled by light

Japanese scientists are developing engine robots that work with light energy, which can be used to transport drugs in the human body.

Yoshiyuki Kageyama, Sadamu Takeda and colleagues at the Department of Chemistry, Hokkaido University in Japan have successfully created a chemical compound , or crystalline assembly . Accordingly, they can move repeatedly when exposed to blue light.

The team created this assembly of crystals from an organic compound, called azobenzene . This type of compound is often used in the manufacture of dyes and oleic acid, which are often found in cooking oils.

Crystal assembly will be applied to develop micro-robot technology using control light - Photo: Hokkaido University.

After putting the compound into blue light and observing it under a microscope, the researchers found that the crystals were capable of continuous movement. And in a water environment, they move like "swimming". They have the ability to bend and expand depending on the ratio of "cis" and "trans" of azobenzene. In particular, when the intensity of light increases, their vibration frequency also increases.

In the past, micro robots appeared to have some limitations in their ability to transform. But the crystal assembly created at Hokkaido University has a two-step switching mechanism that allows repeated vibration movements as often as stated.

Therefore, the new discovery is considered an important step on the path towards developing micro robot technology, future molecular robots. This means we can project flash into micro-robots, controlling them to swim through the bloodstream in the body towards the perfect target as intended.

The diagram illustrates each step of the oscillating movement of the crystal assembly - (Photo: Ikegami T. et. Al).

Researcher Yoshiyuki Kageyama, one of the project leaders, said: "The ability to organize rhythmic movements, such as repetitive motion as we observe, is one of the key characteristics This mechanism can be used in the future to develop biologically inspired motors and molecular robots, which can be used in a wide range of fields, including both medicine ".

Researchers have no plans for commercialization yet, but the technology could soon be applied in the field of medicine.