Cyborgs or human/machine hybrids have lived in the imagination of sci-fi writers for decades, but a recent experiment might bring them closer to reality.
Scientists have used liquid metal to reconnect the severed nerves of frogs – and the results were awesome.
Researchers at Tsinghua University in China were looking for ways to keep muscles active while waiting for nerves to heal and thought that a liquid metal alloy could be a safe solution, due to its high levels of conductivity.
To test their theory, they severed the sciatic nerves of frogs and then tried to reconnect them using a liquid gallium-indium-selenium alloy, which mimics body fluids. Once the two ends of the nerves were connected, they applied an electric pulse to test if the muscles contracted – and they did!
Over at Gizmodo Adam Clark Estes explains: “This means it could be used to protect muscles and nerves after an injury, and since it’s metal, it can be easily removed with the help of an x-ray”.
The potential for its application in the treatment of nerve injuries in humans is full of promise. We might be closer to a full-fledged Robocop than we realise.
To test their theory, they severed the sciatic nerves of frogs and then tried to reconnect them using a liquid gallium-indium-selenium alloy, which mimics body fluids. Once the two ends of the nerves were connected, they applied an electric pulse to test if the muscles contracted – and they did!
Over at Gizmodo Adam Clark Estes explains: “This means it could be used to protect muscles and nerves after an injury, and since it’s metal, it can be easily removed with the help of an x-ray”.
The potential for its application in the treatment of nerve injuries in humans is full of promise. We might be closer to a full-fledged Robocop than we realise.
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