Graphene quantum dots deposited on a sporating bacteria produces a graphene coated spore. Upon attachment of electrodes across the cell, a bio-electronic device is produced that is highly sensitive to humidity. Here, the spore reacts actively to humidity; and the reaction is translated to an electronic response from the interfaced graphene quantum dots. CREDIT Credit: Berry Research Laboratory at UIC
As nanotechnology makes possible a world of machines too tiny to see, researchers are finding ways to combine living organisms with nonliving machinery to solve a variety of problems.
Like other first-generation bio-robots, the new nanobot engineered at the University of Illinois at Chicago is a far cry from Robocop. It’s a robotic germ.
UIC researchers created an electromechanical device–a humidity sensor–on a bacterial spore. They call it NERD, for Nano-Electro-Robotic Device. The report is online at Scientific Reports, a Nature open access journal.
“We’ve taken a spore from a bacteria, and put graphene quantum dots on its surface–and then attached two electrodes on either side of the spore,” said Vikas Berry, UIC associate professor of chemical engineering and principal investigator on the study.
“Then we change the humidity around the spore,” he said.
When the humidity drops, the spore shrinks as water is pushed out. As it shrinks, the quantum dots come closer together, increasing their conductivity, as measured by the electrodes.
“We get a very clean response–a very sharp change the moment we change humidity,” Berry said. The response was 10 times faster, he said, than a sensor made with the most advanced man-made water-absorbing polymers.
Read more: Tiny bio-robot is a germ suited-up with graphene quantum dots
The Latest on: Bio-robot
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Bio-robot” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Bio-robot
- Robot Dogs Hack Chaton March 22, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Join us on Wednesday, September 29 at noon Pacific for the Robot Dogs Hack Chat with Afreez Gan! Thanks to the efforts of a couple of large companies, many devoted hobbyists, and some dystopian ...
- Save up to $500 on robot vacuums and get a start on your spring cleaningon March 22, 2023 at 11:27 am
Share on Facebook (opens in a new window) Share on Twitter (opens in a new window) Share on Flipboard (opens in a new window) All products featured here are independently selected by our editors ...
- Best robot vacuum deals in March 2023on March 21, 2023 at 1:59 pm
A robot vacuum can set you back a few hundred dollars. Fortunately, the best robot vacuum deals can help lower the cost of your robotic assistant. Currently, we're seeing some great sales on some ...
- Self Balancing Roboton March 17, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Stabilizing an inverted pendulum is a classic problem in control theory, and if you’ve ever taken a control systems class you might remember seeing pages full of differential equations and bode ...
- These are the best robot vacuums for carpet and rugson March 17, 2023 at 8:15 am
Share on Facebook (opens in a new window) Share on Twitter (opens in a new window) Share on Flipboard (opens in a new window) All products featured here are independently selected by our editors ...
- Save $250 on a Self-Emptying Shark EZ Robot Vacuumon March 17, 2023 at 8:05 am
Shark EZ Robot Vacuum (RV912S) Postpone the cleaner and turn on the Shark EZ robot vacuum instead. Combining the convenience of a self-empty base with powerful suction, the methodical machine ...
- The Best Robot Vacuum Deals for Spring Cleaning: Save Up to 42% on Highly-Rated Roomba Vacuumson March 17, 2023 at 5:06 am
With spring arriving on Monday, March 20, you're probably looking for a convenient way to keep your hardwood floors clean from dirt and other debris you may track inside. If you've been waiting ...
- Best cheap robot vacuums in 2023on March 16, 2023 at 10:42 am
If you want a new robot vacuum, but you’re shopping on a budget, you’ll need one of the best cheap robot vacuums. This is no easy thing to find of course. A good robot vacuum needs to pick up ...
- Best robot vacuum deals of 2023on March 15, 2023 at 3:38 am
Robot vacuums are a welcome addition to just about any home -- these automated workhorses clean your floors so you don't have to. They can free up time for you to focus more on the things you'd ...
- The best budget robot vacuums for 2023on March 13, 2023 at 6:46 am
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these ...
via Bing News
