Two-dimensional Material Realizes Science Fiction Dream, Micro Floating Robot has Appeared

Recently, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States used nano-single-layer molybdenum disulfide and tungsten selenide to combine ultra-thin two-dimensional electronic technology with micro-particles to create micro-robots. The robot can be used to monitor harmful gases in various environments or internal diseases of human digestive system.

As a first step, researchers need to develop a set of compatible electronic components for granular coatings to form a closed autonomous circuit. To make an electronic circuit with a single atomic thickness, this circuit is very thin, so it is difficult to do. Researcher Dr. Koman said: "We use many different devices to meet specific power and energy requirements.

Finally, the team selected a biocompatible material SU-8 for micron-sized particles and etched them to create a closed circuit consisting of a power supply, a detector and a storage device. The power supply is a PN heterojunction composed of nano-monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten disulfide (WSe₂), which can convert light into current. MoS₂ and WSe₂ are two-dimensional semiconductors. The detector is a chemical resistor, a unique single-layer MoS₂, designed to change its resistance in response to environmental factors. The electrical output is stored in a storage device consisting of a separate MoS₂ sheet sandwiched between gold and silver electrodes.

Since the mobility and stability of particles will become an important part of the proposed applications, researchers first examined whether and how far electronic particles can move. Importantly, 2D materials have higher strain limits than similar materials, and researchers atomize them and push them toward the target; these tiny particles fly several feet.

Researchers envisage a range of uses for these micro-aerial vehicles. For example, monitoring large areas of bacteria, spores, smog, dust or toxic smoke may be accomplished by satellites or a group of unmanned aerial vehicles, but the cost is high. Installation of sensors on the ground requires a lot of labor-intensive installation, which is often not worth mentioning as slow as the speed of transmission of micro-robots. Therefore, using the concept of atomizable electronic devices as an alternative to micro floating robot, the cost efficiency of traditional and future will be high or low.

The next step for researchers is to develop particles for other applications, including as a monitor of the human intestinal digestive system. They envisioned that future treatments for certain diseases could help solve previously difficult problems in humans by swallowing a few micro-robots without bothering doctors or taking toxic side-effects drugs. (Chinatungsten Online: Weiping)

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