Nano machines could be implanted in humans’ brains to improve humans’ cerebral activity.
Based on the recent researches, graphene kirigami may be used to create nanomachines having the thickness of an atom. Paul McEuen is the scientist who has used this resource to replace existing materials for the construction of nanoscale structures.
The study that was published in the journal Nature, explains how Paul McEuen turned 10-microns thick graphene into a fully functional Nano chip. Given the sticky surface of the graphene, scientists have first suspended the material in water. Additional surfactants have been added to make graphene even more slippery than it normally is.
The thin and small graphene pieces needed handles, so researchers added two gold pieces at the end of the graphene forms in order to hold them during the experiment. Various kirigami designs and shapes have been studied before scientists started the experiment. Thus, they have been able to determine the best form and shape for the nanomachine.
The chosen design has been first practiced on many pieces of paper and then, the scheme was transferred on graphene. According to Melina Blees, the leading author of the study, the paper trials were necessary because scientists needed to find out the best method to manipulate graphene to create force.
Based on their findings, graphene needs a simple foldable design to function properly with nanoscale gadgets. Although this domain of research is still in its incipient phase, scientists think many scientific breakthroughs could be achieved with the help of graphene-based kirigami.
In their opinion, flexible Nano models made out of graphene may be implanted in the brain or within humans’ cells to improve their function. Nonetheless, the field has to be further studied to understand how these Nano machines could be improved and to determine their effects on the human body.
Scientists have been impressed with graphene’s flexibility. Although the material looks very frail, the tests that have been carried out during the experiment have proven that graphene kirigami can be stretched as far as possible without breaking. On the other hand, the material will immediately recover its initial position without suffering any alteration.
Image source:blogs.nature.com
Melissa Gansler
