Scientists are looking to build microscopic medical drones made of graphene that can be injected into a person's body and controlled remotely.

The miniature drone is reminiscent of a microscopic submarine used in the science fiction film, Fantastic Voyage (1966). In this movie, a group of scientists are shrunk to microscopic size and travel to the victim's brain in the submarine to excise a brain clot.

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Kostas Kostarelos and a team of UK-based scientists are trying to achieve something similar to the film.

Kostarelos says they're trying to build drones that can be injected in one's bloodstream, eyeball, spinal cord or the brain.

The vehicle will be controlled by scientists and maneuvered to reach a particular diseased cell population so that no collateral damage is done to the body.

The team chose graphene, a fairly new material only isolated in labs 10 years ago. Graphene is nearly 200 times stronger than steel and 70 times more conductive than silicon. 

The next technological advances in graphene will be revolutionary. Graphene will make possible mobile phones with bendable and foldable screens similar to those currently being developed by Samsung.

Due to its conductive nature, graphene could also replace silicon chips, allowing more efficient microchips to power future electronics. IBM has, in fact, announced the production of such a chip.

With all the advances in graphene technolgy, the European Union has taken steps to ensure it isn't left behind.

A 10-year plan called the Graphene Flagship with a budget of US$1.3 billion was recently implemented.

The Graphene Flagship is tasked with "taking graphene from the realm of academic laboratories into European society in the space of ten years."

It is their hope it spurs economic growth, new business opportunities and jobs for Europe.

TagsFantastic Voyage, Graphene, drones, Graphene Flagship