One day were going to have robot drones that are no bigger than a mosquito, but weve got a long way to go on the miniaturization front before that happens. In the meantime, weve got real insects to work with as long as we figure out a good way to control them.

Insect control isnt a new idea, but it is pretty gruesome. It usually involves inserting a needle or two into their bodies and sending electrical pulses into their brain, forcing a change in direction. Even if such a system is perfected, the useful life of the insect is limited by how long it can survive, and if it isnt carrying out normal behavior and eating, that wont be for long.

The other problem with using real insects is they dont have batteries, so any electronics attached to them, e.g. a camera, also requires a battery be attached. That adds weight and ultimately severely limits how long such a device can work for.

Combined research coming out of Osaka University and the Tokyo University of Agriculture may have solved the energy source problem, though. But its just as gruesome as the brain control mechanism.

What the research team has done is to develop a fuel cell that can be attached to an insect and is powered by the insects own body fluid. A small tank is fitted inside the insect that takes in the body fluid, which contains a type of sugar called trehalose. That is broken down by enzymes in the tank to produce glucose, which in turn is used to power the fuel cell.

Such a system is taking energy away from the insect, so it will need to be fed regularly, but it could form a sustainable way to power other components attached to an insect without requiring a battery. That in turn means the potential for a cyborg insect being created with a relatively long life span.

So if you see a cockroach or similar sized insect hanging around while you have a conversation, give it a closer look and see if theres anything unusual on its back. If so, put the poor thing out of its misery.

More:

Cyborg insect created using fuel cell powered by own body fluid