A microchip the size of a grain of sand is the smallest artificial flying object ever invented in the world, capable of monitoring airborne infectious diseases.
A team of engineers at Northwestern University (USA) reports that this ultra-small flying object can also be used to monitor air pollution and toxin levels in the environment on an unprecedented scale.
Comparison of the size of a “flying microchip” with a common ant. (Photo: Northwestern University)
This tiny flying device is not equipped with a motor; instead, it operates like the wing-shaped seeds of a maple tree. They catch the wind to slow their descent as they glide toward the ground.
The flying object consists of two main parts: small electronic components a few millimeters in size and wings. The weight of the electronic device is distributed low in the center of the microprocessor to prevent it from falling to the ground chaotically.
In addition to the sensor, they are equipped with a power source, an antenna for wireless communication, and memory to store data. This data is then transmitted to smartphones or computers.
Professor of Bioelectronics John Rogers, who leads the development program of “flying microchips”, stated that their purpose is to monitor pollution, track populations, or observe disease outbreaks.
By studying how particles disperse in the wind, the development team at Northwestern University has optimized the aerodynamics of the “flying microchip” to ensure that when dropped from a height, it falls at a controlled slow speed.
This allows them to disperse over a wide area while increasing their time in the air, interacting with pollution molecules and pathogens on their way down to the ground.
So far, versions of this tiny device have been equipped with air pollution sensors, solar radiation research tools, and pH sensors to monitor water quality.
Regarding electronic waste, Mr. Rogers and his colleagues are considering using a type of harmless water-soluble material—similar to biodegradable pacemakers—to create the “flying microchip.”
