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Sperm Could Power Nanobots

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the make-sure-you-pick-the-best-swimmers dept.

Lucas123 writes "According to MSNBC, scientists are experimenting with using a sperm's flagellum to overcome the problem of supplying energy to nanobots that could be implanted in the body as smart probes that would release disease-fighting drugs, monitor enzymes and perform other medical roles within a patient's body. Powered by a compound called adenosine triphosphate or ATP, a sperm's flagellum can propel it at about 7 inches an hour. Energy from ATP could also power the pumps charged with dispensing the medication at a certain rate from the nanobots."

5 of 259 comments (clear)

  1. One problem.... by edwardpickman · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How do you train them to run in a nano hamster wheel.

  2. Powering Fembots (Movie with Tilda Swinton?) by StCredZero · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How about sperm powered fembots? They could remake this movie!

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0270688/plotsummary

  3. Re:What a moronic story. by LanMan04 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm not really sure why the article talks about sperm, specifically... Maybe because sperm are the only cells in the human body use flagella to locomote, which is what these nanobots are supposed to do?
    --
    With the first link, the chain is forged.
  4. Sperm isn't the fuel. ATP is. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ATP is the fuel for muscles. Trying to use ATP to power nanobots has absolutely nothing to do with sperm in particular.

  5. Re:Sperm life? by Lost+Race · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's only difficult if you want it. If you don't it's ridiculously easy.