Researchers at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, in a quest to design systems that can position microscopic objects with high precision, have developed a robot that uses magnetic levitation technology to achieve micromanipulation. The system consists of two units--the magnetic drive mechanism and the flying microbot, seen here on a Canadian penny.
See the microbot in action in the next photo.
2 of 3 University of Waterloo, Ontario
Laser beams are used to control the microgrippers
The magnetic drive mechanism controls the external magnetic field using continuous feedback from position sensors. The microbot is built from permanent magnets attached to microgrippers, circled in the image. External laser beams are used to control the microgrippers, and because all of the power is supplied externally, these nanobots are smaller and more nimble than previous nanotechnology.
3 of 3 University of Waterloo, Ontario
Flying microbots have many advantages over robots which walk, crawl or swim
Flying microbots have many advantages over robots that walk, crawl, or swim. Their hovering abilities allow the microbots to operate in a variety of environments with varied, complex terrain. Systems like this may one day move out of the lab and into real-world environments where they might be used for microassembly of mechanical components and manipulation of biological samples.
