The cure for paralysis?
November 11th 2006 20:12
With the advent and advancements of neural networking nanotubes perhaps we’ll have doctors of the future wondering what doctors of these years used to do without the technology. Neural networking nanotubes can one day act as artificial nerve cells which can block off pain or control muscular movement.
Nanotubes are perhaps one of the biggest discoveries that has resulted directly from the buckball capabilities of carbon elements. Essentially they are a collection of carbon atoms that form a tube, their diameter measures to about 1/50,000th the width of human hair. They have many and varied applications from space science to medical technologies.
Nicholas Kotov along with Researchers at the Oklahoma State University and the University of Texas Medical Branch have been looking into the idea of single walled nanotubes to be used as components for various medical equipment, including prosthetics and medical sensors.
These single walled nanotubes have been made into a film. The film is electrically conducting and is made in such a way that specific parts of it can be charged leaving other areas relatively uncharged. Actually ‘relative’ is too strong a word, non-specific parts of the film are charged at about 1 billionth of an amp, which is to say, almost nothing.
If you know your biology 101 you know that electricity stimulates muscle movement. More to the point, electricity can simulate nerves, see where this is going? Yeah, simply put, the concept can be applied to those with paralysis, to those with heart conditions (sort of like a sci-fi heart pump), and even pain management. We could even see super human cyborgs popping up here and there, the concept of the SFS3000 will go down the drain as dark age mythology should neural networking nanotubes prove successful.
Unfortunately that is yet to come, these new developments are a drop in the ocean and more work needs to be done in this field for years to come.
For more information:
The Nanotube Site
References:
Original source: http://www.wistech.org/2006/11/neural_networki.html
First image taken from Wikipedia
3D animation of a single walled Nanotube
Nicholas Kotov along with Researchers at the Oklahoma State University and the University of Texas Medical Branch have been looking into the idea of single walled nanotubes to be used as components for various medical equipment, including prosthetics and medical sensors.
These single walled nanotubes have been made into a film. The film is electrically conducting and is made in such a way that specific parts of it can be charged leaving other areas relatively uncharged. Actually ‘relative’ is too strong a word, non-specific parts of the film are charged at about 1 billionth of an amp, which is to say, almost nothing.
If you know your biology 101 you know that electricity stimulates muscle movement. More to the point, electricity can simulate nerves, see where this is going? Yeah, simply put, the concept can be applied to those with paralysis, to those with heart conditions (sort of like a sci-fi heart pump), and even pain management. We could even see super human cyborgs popping up here and there, the concept of the SFS3000 will go down the drain as dark age mythology should neural networking nanotubes prove successful.
Unfortunately that is yet to come, these new developments are a drop in the ocean and more work needs to be done in this field for years to come.
For more information:
The Nanotube Site
References:
Original source: http://www.wistech.org/2006/11/neural_networki.html
First image taken from Wikipedia
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Comment by spain01
Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
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Comment by Ahmed
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Science wise I mean carbon is an amazing element. So I think this will be going some place.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Adrienne
Comment by Ahmed
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anon, my 'blurb' on that press.com site? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about.
Adrienne, what last thing exactly did you coment on?
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by katyzzz
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I don't think any of them GOT it.
You are a remarkable young man, keep up the good work.
katyzzz
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Ahmed
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katyzzz, thats very flattering *blushes*
Stanley, erm.. I thought movies such as jurrasic park pretty much showed that electrical currents stimulates muscle movement... then again I guess sam niel isn't the best teacher for these sorts of things...
Comment by Luke
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Nanomania!
Comment by Ahmed
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Comment by Adrian
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Would definitely have military applications.
Comment by Ahmed
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yeah, I was thinking (rather hoping) more in terms of general medicine. They already strain soldiers enough, hiding pain isn't good, unless its prescribed first hand by a doctor who knows what he's doing...