Acoustic micro- and nanorobots for medicine

In September 2019 you received a prestigious ERC Grant for your research on microswimmers which can deliver drugs inside the human body. Can you give us a deeper insight into your project?

Daniel Ahmed: Acoustic-based micro and -nanorobotics has immense potential in medicine, such as targeted delivery of drugs, facilitating non-invasive surgery, and performing diagnosis. The ERC Grant will establish a new wireless robotic system within animal models primarily using acoustic actuation. In vivo micromanipulation and micro-robotic systems that use ultrasound or high-frequency acoustic fields is a new concept that will have a significant impact on cancer research and the development of appropriate treatments. This grant will address many of the fundamental challenges associated with using micro- and nanorobots in living animals. A platform that involves the manipulation of micro-robots in animal models will be developed to study numerous disease models. The proposed work will provide a much-needed pathway for preclinical studies.

What are the biggest challenges?

Several challenges limit the use of miniaturized robots in clinical studies, including: imaging and tracking of tiny robots real-time, lack of understanding of micro-robots’ interactions in the fluid environment of the vasculature system, and navigation of small robots against the flow of blood. My team and I will look forward to utilizing ultrasound to unravel many of the puzzles associated with transforming micro-robots into therapeutics for medicine.

You started this project in 2015 when you joined the Multi-Scale Robotics Lab. Why did you decide to come to ETH Zurich?

I was developing acoustic-based micro-robots before joining ETH, and I wanted to implement them in medicine. ETH Zurich is renowned in the field of robotics and I find Professor Brad Nelson’s research to be exciting. Since I wanted to pursue a career in robotics, I joined his lab. I am fortunate to have such an inspiring mentor.

As a professor, you can expect to do more than just research. What do you find particularly appealing?

I am excited to build my group, where I will guide and mentor students throughout the process of addressing pressing challenges in medicine.

Why did you originally choose to go into engineering?

I was fortunate to be enrolled in the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at Penn State. I had wonderful advisers who motivated, directed, and encouraged me at an early stage to explore exciting research across various disciplines. For my bachelor’s thesis, I built one of the tiniest piezo-motors. The feeling of creating something new motivated me to pursue a career in research and engineering.

What do you recommend to students who want to pursue a career as a researcher? Which personal qualities do you need?

I think a career as a researcher is wonderful. I would recommend to students that they think of the significant challenges facing society. How can your technology contribute to the wellness of the community? I would recommend my future colleagues to be motivated and inquisitive, have a never-give-up attitude, and to think of the big impacts.

What do you do to balance work and gain new energy?

My parents are a great source of motivation. I am also fortunate to have great friends and family whom I enjoy being around.