{
  "abstract": "The concept of the infinitesimal machine surgeon: a tiny nano-sized machine with moving parts “akin to a little knife”; which is guided to a biological target; and which is human controlled via an electromagnetic input; was loosely envisaged by Feynman two influential lectures in 1959 and 1983. In this perspective, we examine how chemistry – not physics - may be on the cusp on creating a true infinitesimal machine surgeon. We extract four key criteria for an infinitesimal machine surgeon. We set out how nanomachines – light activated molecular rotors – can trigger cell death via mechanical action, and highlight the recently demonstrated combination of nanomachines and photonic upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), which enable control of nanomachines with near-infrared (NIR) light. This advancement conceivably enables the ability to control nanomachines in deep tissue (> 1 cm) using diffuse NIR illumination, surpassing depth limits of conventional and two photon excitation (2PE) of nanomachines. We set out directions for future development of nanomachines and UCNPs, for deep-tissue applications, including opportunities for targeted delivery and multi-modal tracking. With sufficient development, we expect the conjunction of UCNPs and nanomachines can fulfil all four criteria to be considered an infinitesimal machine surgeon.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, G1 1RD"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lewis E. MacKenzie",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-8151-0525"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/61kbn74kfry49.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15008974/v1",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "61kbn74kfry49",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15008974/v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1605|Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes"
    ]
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  "openalex": "W7213449323",
  "pdf_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/pdf/10.26434/chemrxiv.15008974/v1",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-17",
  "publisher": "American Chemical Society (ACS)",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/61kbn74kfry49.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:19Z",
      "native_id": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15008974",
      "source": "chemrxiv",
      "url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15008974/v3"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1605|Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes",
      "subfield": "organic"
    }
  ],
  "title": "The infinitesimal surgeon: nanomachines and upconversion nanoparticles",
  "title_text": "The infinitesimal surgeon: nanomachines and upconversion nanoparticles",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-31T00:20:31Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/61kbn74kfry49",
  "venue": "ChemRxiv",
  "versions": []
}