New invention: Tiny robot that kills bacteria in water

The test showed that in just 20 minutes, this tiny robot could kill more than 80% of the bacteria in E. Coli-contaminated water.

On June 12, 2017, a group of scientists from the Max Planck Intelligent System Research Institute in Germany announced the creation of a spherical microbot (micro-sized robot) capable of swimming and destroying micro bacteria in polluted water sources.

Microbot traps and kills bacteria in infected water sources (Photo: Max Planck institute)

Kill 80% of the bacteria in the water

The test showed that in just 20 minutes, this tiny robot could kill more than 80% of the bacteria in E. Coli-contaminated water. In addition to its magnetic properties, it can be easily removed from the water tank.

Researchers write in their study: "The ability to use and access clean water is one of the most pressing and urgent issues that has the longest impact on human development. Development Effective, innovative, low-cost water cleaning methods that do not adversely affect the environment or harm human health are the number one priority now . "

The structure of microbot is only 2 parts. The first part is made of magnesium, which creates hydrogen bubbles into the water and acts as a propulsion system to help the robot move.

The rest is made of alternating layers of iron and gold and is covered with a layer of nano-sized silver particles. This part is responsible for killing bacteria; Iron and gold layers trap target bacteria so that nanoparticles kill them.

Once cleaned up, users will use a magnet to suck mini robots filled with dead bacteria. Although a robot's cleaning rate (80%) is quite impressive, the water will be cleaner if more robots are added, the researchers said.

Solutions to clean water for more than 633 million people

Currently there are about 663 million people in the world living in the condition of no clean water, microbot cleaning water promises to become an effective low cost solution for human use.

Researchers make this robot say it will continue to work and improve its products."This is a biocompatible product, environmentally friendly, and does not emit chemical waste during and after operations," the team added.

'Smart nanobots and microbot can be applied in the fields of medicine, energy and the environment , ' the scientists concluded.

The above study has been published in ACS Application Documentation & Interface.