Anika Begay
The biggest limitation of tiny robots is, of course, their size. The smaller the robot, the more difficult it is to develop the components. One of the main challenges is finding a power source. Some systems use clever workarounds, like these cell-sized robots, which use a photodiode to access the minimum level of electricity needed to do their job. More advanced systems, however, will require a dedicated power source.
This week, MIT unveiled small batteries specifically designed to power these systems for tasks ranging from targeted drug delivery inside the human body to checking pipelines for gas leaks. The power source measures 0.1 millimeters long by 0.002 millimeters thick, about the size of a human hair.
Despite their barely visible size, researchers say the batteries can generate up to 1 volt, which can be used to power a sensor, circuit, or even a moving actuator.
“We think this is going to be very enabling for robotics,” said Professor Michael Strano, who was the paper’s lead author. “We’re building robotic functions onto the battery and starting to put those components together into devices.”
The systems are still tethered to an external device, although the researchers believe they will be able to design a version of the power source that is entirely enclosed by the small robot. The team is also working to increase the level of voltage the system can generate.
“This is going to be the core of a lot of our robotics efforts,” Strano added. “You can build a robot around a power source, kind of like you can build an electric car around a battery.”
