New publications
Nanomotors are the future of medicine
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
A real breakthrough in medicine can be provided by various nanodevices and today there are already a number of such miniature devices, but an effective power source for such devices has not yet been developed. Scientists from Cambridge have filled the gaps in this area a little and presented miniature engines that operate from an external light source.
The operation of the nanomotor resembles the action of a spring, the motor itself consists of gold nanoparticles that are held by a polymer gel-like substance that reacts to temperature fluctuations. When the substance is heated by a laser, moisture actively evaporates, the substance begins to shrink (as if springing) - as a result, the nanomotor accumulates light energy and stores it. After turning off the light source - in this case, the laser - the substance begins to cool and actively absorb moisture. The accumulated energy is released as a result, and the gold particles serve to increase the effect of the force created.
The devices developed by Cambridge specialists can be compared with the tiny submarines from the movie “Fantastic Voyage,” in which mini-submarines traveled through the human body to remove a blood clot from the vessels. In addition, nanomotors have quite a lot of force relative to their own weight and, like ants, are capable of moving large “loads.”
The developers note that the expansion of the substance after the light source is switched off occurs extremely quickly, which can be compared to a microscopic explosion. This effect is caused by certain forces arising between the molecules of the substance. Such forces have a fairly strong manifestation at the microscopic level, whereas under normal conditions they are almost not manifested. Experts noted that it is precisely such forces that help gecko lizards climb vertical surfaces, as well as upside down - billions of small hairs on the surface of their limbs help them in this.
As noted, the nanomotor accumulates light energy, most of which is converted into the energy of attraction between the gel molecules and gold particles. When the energy of attraction is broken, the force of release due to gold is several times greater than that of conventional compression of the material. According to scientists, the disadvantage of the nanomotor today is that the energy is released simultaneously in all directions and now the efforts of the scientific group are aimed at finding a way to direct the flow of energy in one, desired direction.
If scientists achieve their goal and are able to control the flow of released energy in nanomotors, such devices could be used to control nanobots that deliver drugs to affected organs or areas, as well as for remotely controlled instruments used during microsurgery.
The Cambridge team is currently developing nanomotor-based controlled pumps and valves for chips used in biosensors and diagnostic equipment.
[