Gizmodo
Researchers at USC's Information Sciences Institute produced this amazing pyramid, around 30 microns across, which may one day be used to deliver precise micro- or nano-doses of medication. The structures, dubbed "voxels" are made of silicon, cut into flats and then folded up and sealed to enclose tiny volumes of space inside. The team hasn't stopped at pyramids either— they've tried flat envelopes, cubes and partial dodecahedra, but these don't close together the way the pyramid does.
The flat shapes are first carved out of polysilicon sheets lying on a gold film using standard commercial techniques. The hinge areas are improved with some etching. Then they're electro-coated with permalloy, making them magnetic but leaving the hinges free. Folding and closing the shapes is the tricky part, requiring bending using magnetic fields, and then submersion in water. As the shapes dry capillary action draws the voxels closed. They plan on improving the folding precision and the strength of the bonds at each side of the voxel, which might be possible with carefully directed water jets.
The team also think that even smaller voxels, and also mass production will be possible. And not a paper-cut in sight. [USC ISI and Physorg]
Comments
Yes, but can it predict my future? I think not...
Somehow this technology will wind up being one of the reasons to buy Dockers pants.
"Dockers: now with 50% more micro-pyramidal stain repellant action!"
The great Pyramids of Gizzard! Get it?
What happens when the residue of spent voxels accumulates in the bodies of patients who use them? It's like the Wernher von Braun stage of nano-medicine: it's all about launching the missiles, not so much concern about where they happen to return.
No waterbombs or paper cranes? I'm sad.
@frigg: if you're in academic medicine and want some funding these days, just write a grant proposal with "Nano-" somewhere in the title... you're guaranteed to get some $
Now, this is some truly amazing sheeet.
Ok. I'm obviously missing something here. What would be the need for something like this? ...other than little tiny drug mules...
When they make a Nano-Stargate...I'm signing up!
Is that a Mac logo on that one?
@SgtMac02: When they only want to deliver a drug to a particular part of the body.
@Darrone: Seriously, it keeps saying "I love Jane." Not her, she's the dorkiest girl in the class.
It's the Andromeda Strain!
" they've tried flat envelopes, cubes and partial dodecahedra, but these don't close together the way the pyramid does"
They seem to have fallen short_ Seeing as how a Cube has 6 sides not 5_
Also if they build the other half of the Dodecahedron it would close as well_
@frigg: Then all those kids that eat sand at some point in their lives are all doomed !!
@LoganSix: "@SgtMac02: When they only want to deliver a drug to a particular part of the body." So this would have to be very potent in microscopic doses or they'd still have to deliver large quantities and defeat the purpose_
.
How many times can you fold a voxel?
@uberfu: Hypothetically, using this would deliver drugs to areas of the body that can only be reached through something this size. The capsule itself could be attracted to a cancer cell and then the payload would actually enter the cell, then an external exam or treatment could attack the cell with the payload in it.
So, did Sadako have a hand in this?
"flat envelopes"?
Great, now Apple will be making an underpowered, overpriced, micron-sized laptop just so they can say it fits inside.
@scarbrtj: Yes, but leave HIV out of it!
Magnetic piramid?
I know how to remove it!
[www.badmovies.org]
@frigg: That pyramid is about half the width of a grain of powdered sugar. I think your body can handle it.
But will it cure my fear of death?
White Noise? Dylar? Anyone?
@scarbrtj: Why stop at medical research? Perhaps if the Girl Scouts started selling nano-cookies, they too could clean up on the nano-fad. Oddly, I think I'd be more apt to buy a box of microscopic nano-mints to support a decent cause than yet another box of traditional waxy Oreo knock-offs.
@uberfu: That dooms us all!
@guypatsy: Sure, a body could handle "it," but not necessarily handle "them," just as one cancer cell or shard of asbestos in isolation is nothing to write home about. It's when they start to add up that it becomes a problem, and typically nanoparticles would be released in large numbers. In fact, there's already talk of policy restrictions regarding self-replicating nanoparticles. While they arguably become exponentially more useful when allowed to self-replicate, they also become exponentially more dangerous. An out of control nano-factory could potentially dwarf any other scenario of man-made self-destruction, reducing all flesh to goo in a matter of days.
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