Research
Researchers at the University of Basel, led by Prof. Dr. Cornelia Palivan, have developed a modular nanorobot with greater functional flexibility than many existing systems. The work, published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, could advance applications in medicine, industry, and environmental technology.
Unlike conventional nanorobots, which are often designed for a single specific task, this new system is modular and can be adapted to different applications. The nanorobot resembles a lunar rocket with multiple modules: a magnetic propulsion module moves the nanorobot, while a second module serves as a payload capsule, safely transporting therapeutic agents or enzymes to their target location. The nanorobot is 150 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
“Previous nanorobots are often designed for a specific task only,” says Cornelia Palivan. “Our modular system, on the other hand, can be adapted to different applications.”
The payload capsule builds on the team’s previous work developing nanoscale polymer vesicles that protect encapsulated enzymes. Molecules can enter the vesicle through pores, be processed by the enzymes, and then their products are released into the environment. This modular design allows the nanorobot to be reconfigured for different tasks, potentially enabling targeted drug delivery in the body as well as applications in industry and environmental cleanup.
The research represents a step toward more versatile nanorobotics, moving beyond single-purpose designs to systems that can be tailored to specific needs. While the team describes the technology’s potential, further development would be needed to translate these modular nanorobots into practical applications.
Source: Robohub