This article describes new research combining living tissue with nano-scale machines. By stimulating the muscles, the scientists were able physically move the mechanical device. Lots of potential uses for this, like replacing bone with metal (Wolverine anyone?) or rebuilding fingers. I also see it as a step towards real-life cyborgs, especially in the military. When combined with other research, we could get some interesting results.

The research is headed by Carlo Montemagno at UCLA and is published in the journal Nature Materials. I believe the article is entitled “Self-assembled microdevices driven by muscle” and is currently available as an “advance online publication article”. I searched the UCLA web site for a press release on this topic, but was unable to find it (I found others, but not this one). Any help with finding the press release would be appreciated.