Close to artificial life: Saxony researches micro-cyborgs

TU Chemnitz presents concept for microelectronic morphogenesis of artificial organisms

Chemnitz, 11 October 2023. After the microrobots that fold themselves into shape, Saxon researchers now want to take the next step towards tiny cyborg hybrids. Specifically, they are researching half-living, half-inorganic swarm organisms that change their shape and abilities depending on the current task and recycle themselves at the end of their artificial life. A corresponding technological concept has now been presented by researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology . At the same time, they promise built-in anti-dystopian safeguards against uncontrolled proliferation of their mini cyborgs.

The parallels to the „cyborgs“ from film and television are limited, however: Although the concept is ultimately aimed at cybernetic creatures, they will – unlike, for example, „Robocop“ – not contain any organic components. „They are not biohybrids, they do not use biological components or organisms or genetic information from organisms“, emphasises Prof. John McCaskill from Chemnitz University of Technology. Rather, they should be „completely inorganic and possibly completely alive“.

Smartlet made of microrobotic modules and inorganic chips as the basic building block

The Saxons want to construct small „smartlets“ as the basic building blocks of such more or less „living technology“: Universal and mouldable microrobotic modules with embedded silicon-based chiplets. These smartlets should be capable of „microelectronic morphogenesis“, i.e. they should be able to form larger artificial organisms in different shapes. Thanks to the integrated silicon chips, they can store „recipes“ for different forms and action strategies and reproduce these „similarly to the genetic material in natural living beings.

Mini cyborgs should be capable of neuromorphic learning and evolution

„In addition, the chiplets have neuromorphic learning capabilities that enable the smartlets to increasingly and evolutionarily improve their performance“, the Chemnitz TU researchers outline their concepts. During and after self-organisation into an artificial organism, both fluidic and electrical connections are established between the smartlets. These connections can be used to make the chiplets on board 'aware' of the state of the artificial organism so that they can order repairs, correct misassemblies, initiate disassemblies and form common functions across many smartlets.“ This should include communication, „senses“ üvia the built-in sensor technology, energy storage, generation and redistribution, remote sensing and material redistribution. And they should also be able to disassemble back into their basic units when their tasks are completed and new artificial beings are needed. This concept follows a „completely new understanding of sustainability“, the scientists emphasise.

Rückversicherung: Genetic memory can only be produced in chip factories

In many respects, these small cyborgs would therefore fulfil important criteria of life: Reproductivity, growth, adaptability, evolution. It is even possible to have a certain „self-awareness“ of one's own state. However, to ensure that this concept for artificial life does not degenerate into an uncontrollable horror science fiction disaster, the researchers want to limit their cyborgs: "The essential silicon components of smartlets can only be produced under human control in specialised semiconductor factories," the Chemnitz researchers assure us. „Therefore, there is no possibility for artificial organisms to spread uncontrollably in the environment.“

Documentation should be readable at any time in the swarm

In addition, central information is to be stored in the inorganic components of the Cyborgen. This should make it possible to read the „material content“, the originator and environmentally relevant factors of the artificial organisms at any time.

This detailed documentation of responsibility down to the microscopic level will fundamentally change the legal allocation of ecological and social responsibility for our technical achievements,

says law professor Dagmar Gesmann-Nuissl.

First microrobots are already working

From the current concept to mass production of such smartlets, there are still many problems to solve. However, Prof. Oliver Schmidt from the Research Centre for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (Main) at Chemnitz University of Technology has already shown how such a basic unit can function in principle: in recent years and months, he has made headlines in Dresden and Chemnitz with a constant stream of new micro-rockets, micro-robots and energy storage devices. In the smartlets, he wants to combine these individual solutions to create complex miniature systems that can communicate, fold and connect symbiotically with silicon chips, among other things.

Could be used in medicine, agriculture, space or rescue missions

The researchers see potential fields of application for such inorganic organisms, for example in medicine, agriculture, space research, cancer diagnostics and later also in forestry or marine management. Potential applications can be seen wherever intelligent functionality is required with small devices or tools that can reconfigure their shape and structure in a controlled manner, explains John McCaskill. Such shape changes could, for example, allow these organisms to invade remote and normally inaccessible spaces and adopt structures and sizes that would otherwise not be able to reach them. „Potential applications include the assembly of diagnostic or therapeutic devices for non-invasive medical surgery, the formation of growth scaffolds for tissue engineering, the use for repairs or the cleaning of mechatronic components;for repairs or cleaning of mechatronic devices or, to a somewhat greater extent, penetration through earth or debris to blocked locations and spaces, for example during rescue operations after earthquakes.“

Article of the "Oiger" from 11 October 2023