Smaller Than a Grain of Sand: The World’s Smallest Robot

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan in the United States have developed the world’s smallest robot, smaller than a grain of sand. Although the robot is almost the size of a microorganism, it is fully programmable, capable of independent thinking and movement, and can respond intelligently to changes in its environment.

Mark Miskin, Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, explained the breakthrough by saying,

“We have created autonomous robots that are scaled down to one-ten-thousandth of their previous iterations. This achievement opens up an entirely new world for programmable robotics.”

One of the most fascinating features of these micro-robots is their ability to move together in coordinated groups, much like a school of fish. Unlike traditional robots, they have no moving mechanical parts, making them extremely durable and long-lasting. These robots can be transferred using a micropipette and are capable of swimming in water continuously for several months.

How Does the Robot Move?

Movement in water is especially challenging for micro-robots because water feels extremely dense at such a small scale—similar to walking through thick tar. To overcome this, the robot creates a tiny electric field around itself. This electric field pushes ions in the liquid, which then collide with water molecules, generating forward motion. This innovative propulsion system allows the robot to move efficiently without any mechanical components.

An Ultra-Efficient Brain and Power System

The “brain” or onboard computer of the robot was developed by a research team led by Professor David Blaauw from the University of Michigan. Remarkably, the robot requires only 75 nanowatts of power to operate—about 100,000 times less energy than a typical smartwatch.

To meet this minimal power requirement, most of the robot’s surface is covered with miniature solar panels, enabling it to harvest energy directly from light.

Future Applications and Medical Potential

Due to its extremely small size, researchers had to compress traditional robotic commands into simplified instructions that the robot can process efficiently. Scientists believe that in the near future, these microscopic robots could play a revolutionary role in medical science, including:

·         Targeted cell-level treatments inside the human body

·         Precision drug delivery

·         Repairing or assembling microscopic devices

·         Environmental monitoring in hard-to-reach areas

Experts say this breakthrough marks a major milestone in nanotechnology, micro-robotics, and biomedical engineering, potentially transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing.

Source: NDTV