chobotix: chemical processing by swarm robotics frantisek stepanek institute of chemical technology...
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CHOBOTIX:Chemical Processing by Swarm
Robotics
Frantisek Stepanek
Institute of Chemical Technology
Prague, Czech Republic
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- Design and synthesis of “chemical robots”- Internally structured particles- Inspired by microorganisms (but non-living)- Capable of chemically modifying their environment
- Investigation of their collective behaviour
- Applications- Controlled drug release- Intelligent cleaning
Project Aims
Classical robots are intended for:
- performing mechanical tasks
- in the macroscopic world
Their function is based on electro-mechanical principles
Motivation
How can we perform “chemical” tasks on microscopic scale?
- in nature: microorganisms
- no equivalent available
- we try to design & make one
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Scientific challenges
Proposed architecture of a chemical robot
A
C
A + B C + D DB
1
2
3
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1) semi-permeable protective outer shell
2) controlled molecular transport across shell
3) system of internal compartments/reservoirs
4) application specific reaction chemistry
5) adaptive surface properties
6) bottom-up synthesis, “power-up”, remote control
10-100 μm
• Stimuli-responsive “smart” gels
(J. Cejkova, A. Zadrazil, J. Hanus)• Structured particle synthesis
(M. Singh, J. Dohnal, P. Kovacik)• Liposome synthesis (M. Ullrich)• Computer-aided design (Z. Grof)• Reaction chemistry (V. Tokarova, O. Kaspar)
Current Work
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Application areas of chemical robots:– controlled delivery of medicines
(desired location, amount and time)– intelligent cleaning
(neutralisation of contaminants, desinfection)– harvesting of distributed / diluted resources– diagnostics / sensing– energy storage
New, exciting science!
Societal benefits