ART OF ENGINEERING - FINAL PROJECT REPORT

1. The Nanorobot Project Report
Art of Engineering Course
Fall Term 2010
Mehmet Erkan OZSEYHAN
Erhan KELES
Sercan DINC
Tolga AYAZSEVEN

2. General Concept of Nanorobots
Reported by Mehmet Erkan OZSEYHAN
Our project stems from brain-machine interface (BMI) process.
Nanorobots provide connection between human brain and super
computer via special devices on the nanorobots. The reason why we
choose nanorobots is that Scientists predict that NBIC (nano-bio-info-
cogno) technologies will shape the future. That’s why we give
Human Brain
importance the nanorobots in our project. Super Com
Our purpose is to create nanorobots and inject them to human brain to
monitor and advance the brain. How do nanorobots enter the brain?
Because of nanorobots’ tiny structures, they can be sprayed by nasal
spray to reach the brain.
When brain with nanorobots encounters the problem, they transmit the
data the any telecommunication devices via nanoradio signals. Then, to
analyze the data, they send messages to super computers. After that,
super computer will send feedback. For instance, computer will say that
your hormone level is above the average and if you want to tranquilize
it, you should download program related to your disease. Finally, patient
will send the program from iPad to nanorobots. So, nanorobots will
stimulate neurons and cure the diseases.
Encryption of nanorobots is vital subject. In order to strength the security
of nanorobots, we will use fingerprint of people desiring to have
nanorobots.
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3. Properties of Nanorobot
Reported by Erhan KELES
 Propelling Nanorobot
o ATP consuming Molecular Machines
 Controlling Nanorobot
o Nanoradio Remote Control
 Neuron-Nanorobot Interface
o Memristor(Memory Resistor)
o NanoFET(Nano Field Effect Transistor)
Biomolecular Nanomotor (F0F1 ATPase)
A motor converts other forms of
energy into mechanical energy.
Nature has its own versions of
motors (biomelocular motors)
which are essentially super-
efficient machines operating at
very tiny scales.
 Biomolecular motors
convert chemical energy into
mechanical work or motion,
exhibiting remarkable control
and precision.
 They use free energy from ATP (Adenosine Tri-phosphate) or other nucleotide
triphosphate (NTP) hydrolysis as its fuel
 Nanomotor (F0F1 ATPase) converts chemical energy into mechanical work or
motion, exhibiting remarkable control and precision as using free energy from
ATP (Adenosine Tri-phosphate).
ATP driven linear biomotor is based on dynein, kinesin, and miyosin which are
responsible for muscle contraction. In muscle, actin filaments slide on myosin heads.
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4. Actin filaments made up of 375 amino acid long subunits are responsible for ATP.
Myosin transport along actin generates not only muscle contraction but also several
cellular transport processes. While muscle myosin works in a non-processive manner,
a single myosin V protein takes many steps along the actin filament without
dissociating.
BIOMIMETIC APPROACH TO BACTERIAL FLAGELLUM FOR NANOMOTOR
It is a highly complex molecular machine. Protruding from many bacteria are long spiral propellers
attached to motors that drive their rotation. It has been proposed that the flagellum originated
from a protein export system. Over time, this system might have been adapted to attach a
bacterium to a surface by extruding an adhesive filament. An ion-powered pump for expelling
substances from the cell might then have mutated to form the basis of a rotary motor. Rotating any
asymmetrical filament would propel a cell and give it a huge advantage over non-motile bacteria
even before more spiral filaments evolved.
Finally, in some bacteria flagella became linked to an existing system for directing movement in
response to the environment. In E. coli, it works by changing flagella rotation from anticlockwise to
clockwise and back again, causing a cell to tumble and then head off in a new direction.
http://www.phy.duke.edu/undergraduate/biophysics/, date: 1_13_201
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5. Nanoradio Remote Control
When voltage applied, electrons flow from a battery through the nanotube. A radio
wave vibrates the nanotube tip for transferring data by the radio wave.
Firstly nanocarbon tube assembled to an electrode’s cathode side and anode side of
the electrode is just beyond and free. When a voltage is applied between the
electrodes, electrons are transmitted from cathode through the nanotube and
electrons are transferred to the anode as jumping from the tip of the nanotube. A
radio wave vibrates the nanotube tip for transferring data by the radio wave.
Memristor (Memory Resistor)
Memristors, unlike conventional electronic devices, carry memories of their past and
remember how much voltage was applied beforehand and for how long.
STDP (Spike Time Dependent Plasticity) is the base of learning performed by
synapses. When you activate a region on the brain, synapses create new pathways
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6. to perform learning. The more you use a pathway in the brain the stronger synapses
are created on the pathway vice versa. This feature of biological learning is called
STDP (Spike Time Dependent Plasticity). Although we have super computers we do
not perform even most low level brain sized animals because todays computer do
not handle STDP process. However, a breakthrough which is called memristor could
transfer key point of biological information process’ superiority to the electronic
circuits. STDP (Spike-Time-Dependent-Plasticity) behavior could be generated by
combining memristance models with the electrical wave signals of neural impulses
(spikes) converging from pre- and post-synaptic neurons into a synaptic junction.
 These results suggest the memristor devices are capable to emulate the
biological synapses with properly designed CMOS neuron components to
provide local programming voltages with controlled pulse width and height.
Nano Lett. 2010, 10, 1297—1301
NanoFET (Nano Field Effect Transistor)
 NanoFETs that could measure ion flux or electrical signals in cells is smaller
than many viruses(less than 50 nanometers).
 NanoFET probe could enter into even single cell without any harm thanks to
its glycoprotein coated probe.
Decoding and encoding neural codes on the brain via NanoFET which is so much
faster than biological one is smaller than many viruses and about one-hundredth the
width of the probes recently used by people to take cellular measurements, which
can be nearly as large as the cells themselves. In addition phospholipid coated
nanowire technology could open new scientific platforms to facilitate development
of technology for human.
Neuron Cell
NanoFET Probe
www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2010/August/12081002.asp
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7. SOME DRAWBACKS FOR NANOROBOTS INTO THE BODY
Nanotoxicity
Nanotoxicology is a branch of bionanoscience dealing with the study and
application of toxicity of nanomaterials. Application of nanopatricles at the medical
field has some toxic effect to the living organism. In these case, nanotoxicology as a
branch of bionanoscience tries to understand and prevent toxicity of nanomaterials.
Bioengineers, nanoscientists, physiologists, neurologists, and other scientists study in
this field in collaboration with each other. Generally nanotoxicity is attributed tree
features of nanoparticles which are toxicity attributed to nanoparticle composition,
toxicity attributed to nanoparticle core, toxicity attributed to nanoparticle surface
functionalization.
Toxicity Attributed to Nanoparticle Composition
Nanoparticles(NPs) are made up of heavy metals which are cadmium, lead, mercury,
sulfur, selenium, or tellurium are toxic to the living organism. Cadmium is primary
constituent of the metal used in nanoparticles that has carcinogenic effects to the
living and has been linked with cancers of the lung, prostate, and kidney. In addition
cadmium negatively affects DNA repair process as causing mutations on the genetic
material. Similarly quantum dots have toxic effects as the formation of ROS(Reactive
Oxygen Species) which is called oxidative stress. ROS stops cellular respiration,
increase permeation of the cell membrane, and damage the nucleus.
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8. Solution
When nanoparticles coated with silane and poly(ethylene glycol), gene expression
was relatively unaltered in the presence of nanoparticles. But long-term in vivo
researches are needed.
(T. Zhang, J. L. Stilwell, D. Gerion, L. Ding)
Toxicity Attributed to Nanoparticle Core
Cadmium ions are released from nanoparticle core because of photo-oxidation
Photo-oxidation of nanoparticles causes cadminium ions released from nanoparticle
core and these ions bind mitochondrial proteins, stopping cellular respiration and
causing cell death.
Solution
To minimize access to the core, coating layer by layer assembled films of
CdTe(Cadminium-Tellurium) with collagen could provide some protection.
(V. A. Sinani, D. S. Koktysh, B.-G. Yun, R. L. Matts, T. C. Pappas, M)
Toxicity Attributed to Nanoparticle Size
When a particle size gets smaller, the
surface to volume ratio increases
significantly. Accordingly the more surface
means the more active compound to make
toxic chemical reactions to living organism.
One research shows that the bigger red
NPs is less toxic than smaller NPs localized
in the nuclear compartment of the cell.
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9. Bioethical Issues
Bioengineering applications creates unprecedented moral challenges by making use
of genetic engineering, nanobiotechnology, and tissue engineering that are required
highly professional information because all subjects of bioengineering has its own
unique code of ethics so the moral questions posed to bioengineers are not a subset
of any other group.
Bioengineers must be careful about safeguards, regulations, and contingency plans
not to cause catastrophic failures. Because a failure may result in the release of
invasive species or infectious agents, a critical medical device failing to sustain
patients or an imaging device causing misdiagnoses. In addition, a bioengineer must
be care about consequences of socioeconimical effect on public of what people
devise. In this case, a bioengineer should dope out possible advantages and
challenges of his project.
There are lots of questions about nanoneuroscience and its applications related to
bioethics that:
1. Should we make a home test for Alzheimer’s disease? Should employers and
insurance companies then have access to this information?”
2. Will nanotech, artificial intelligence and genetic engineering become the
modern incarnation of the “Guns, Germs and Steel”?
3. Will a faceless coterie of technocrats take control inside the machine,
exploiting the science for profit and micromanaging every decision?
4. Is the humanity just a stepping stone?
Organizations Working on the Ethical Issues of Nanotechnology
 Nano Ethics Group - http://www.nanoethics.org/
 Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN)
o http://www.crnano.org/index.html
 The International Council on Nanotechnology
http://icon.rice.edu/about.cfm?doc_id=4379
 Latin American Nanotechnology and Society Network
http://www.estudiosdeldesarrollo.net/~webrelans/Home_E.html
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10. Future Applications
 Understanding of the process of neurological disorders. As using CNT-neuron
interactions, scientists could decode and encode neurons.
 Accurate diagnose techniques for neurological disorders.
 Much more effective drugs to pass BBB(Blood Brain Barrier) and deliver
medicine only to the target.
 Using 100 times nicer methods than that of microsurgery by use of nanobots
and femtolasers.
 Use of nanobots to treat neurological disorders and to advance human
intelligence level thanks to nanobot-neuron interface
 SWNTs(Single Walled Nano Carbon Tubes) could be implanted at the local site
of nerve injury to increase production of the cells at the damaged site using
SWNT as a bridge between ends of injured lesions.
 CNT(Carbon Nano Tube) could open new scientific platforms to facilitate
nanoneuroscience researches. Thanks to its neuron stimulating and
monitoring properties, scientists can investigate nature of neural circuitry in
vitro instead of in vivo by using CNT-neuron scaffolds.
References
1. Ellis-Behnke et al., 2007
2. Liopo et al., 2006
3. http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/20244/page2/?a=f
4. M. P. Waalkes, Mutat. Res. 2003, 533, 107.
5. J. Lovric, S. J. Cho, F. M. Winnik, D. Maysinger, Chem. Biol. 2005, 12, 1227
6. T. Zhang, J. L. Stilwell, D. Gerion, L. Ding
7. A. M. Derfus, W. C. W. Chan, S. N. Bhatia, Nano Lett. 2004, 4, 11
8. J. Lovric, H. S. Bazzi, Y. Cuie, G. R. Fortin, F. M. Winnik, D. Maysinger,J. Mol.
Med. 2005, 83, 377
9. Vale, R., Myosin V motor proteins: marching stepwise towards a mechanism.
The Journal of cell biology, 2003. 163(3): p. 445-50
10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6007
11. http://www.nsti.org/outreach/Biomolecular_Motors/
12. http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/20244/page2/?a=f
13. www.technewsdaily.com/cat-brain-inspires-computers-of-the-future-0439/
14. http://www.umt.edu/ethics/Debating%20Science%20Program/debatingscien
ceresourcecenter/nanotechnology/NanoODC/Nanotoxicology.aspx
15. http://blogs.tps.vic.edu.au/year10chemspace/nano-properties/
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11. SUPER-COMPUTER NANOROBOT INTERFACES
Reported by Sercan DINC
 Super-Computer is the powerful computer. It process data like personal computer but
hardware tools of it are enhaced so it can process complex data.
 Data is processed like a digital signal but digital signal is converted the nemerical
codes in the Process Unit.
 According to types of data, numerical codes contain differences.
 Unique code system protects the data from hacker users, this system depends the
cyrpto codes.
 Cypto codes are used two different criterias, one of them computer codes and
second person codes.
 Computer codes are the codes that each computer has own special codes.
 Person codes are the codes that created the math. modelling person’s fingerprint.
 Because of complex data, most powerful radiowaves are used that is created outside
process unit.
RESEARCH METHOD
I utilizied Tubitak Sciences books then, searched computer technology in the varies of
sources. After the investigated to super-computer concept, i tried to can be computer signals
send to nanorobots. Todays Brain-Machine Interface technology defines how to computer
connects to brain and how to data is processed but i add some theorical content to BMI
technology for improving our project. Numerical models and cytpto system depend today
information systems technology. I tried to use minumum text and maximum graphics in the
slides for decreasing the understanding. I tried to provide the representation contiunity so
my subject is the next part of the previous team worker and it is provide a passing the subject
of next team worker. In this sense i avoided to say same things with my team workers but i
tried to support to them and add new things with the proper subject plan.
REFERENCES
Tubitak Yayınları-Bilim ve Teknik March 2002 “Bionic Human”
Tubitak Yayınları-Bilim ve Teknik September 2002 “Computer Technoloıgy”
Tubitak Yayınalrı-Bilim ve Teknik October 2006 “Creating the Future”
Internet: www.kevinwarwick.com
Internet :“Numerical Alghoritms of Stacked Chips”
Internet: http://www.algosort.com/ “Computer Progrramming Alghoritms”
Pictures from Internet.
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12. Usage Fields and Common Impact of Our Project
Reported by Tolga AYAZSEVEN
Brain is a simple organ that perceives things with electrical signals. We
smell things, touch, feel and hear things. These senses are just electrical
signals for brain which are transported by neuron cells.
This nanobot will get into the human brain, circulate it and scan it for
any defection or connect with super computer to get any mission from it.
By innovating this technology, lots of industrial applications will change
including Education, Medicine and All information systems.
This device will help hormonal process of human brain such as testing
hormon level on the blood and retrieving it to the normal level.
There will be no need for telephone because of the visual networks. We
will communicate humans without talking because nanobot transfers
informations directly to satellite and satellite sends them to another
nanobot and nanobot transfer them to human brain.
This bot can do some nuerosurgeries such as smash diseased cells or
tissues (cancerous tissues), stopping celebral hemorrhage and kind of
these surgeries. So there will be no any open brain surgery in the future.
We will transfer information from computers to the human memory.
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13. Bioethical Questions
Innovation of this device, a lot of unacknowledged questions come out.
1) We will transfer informations directly to the brain so there will be
no need for schools and teachers will fall out of work and they
become extinct. Is this ethic?
2) The nanobot operate surgeries by itself and this operations will
increase success rate. However, brain surgeons will extinct to. This
problem will cause a lot of response.
3) If you are rich, you can buy informations without any effort . So
wealthy people increase their knowledge with money. What about
poors?
4) Thanks to our project; all diseases and deficiencies can be solved
and number of death people decreased dramatically. Population
growth exploded but where is the enough source?
5) In the next level of the our project, goverments can use it for bad
purposes and people can be managed in the war conditions!
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