A novel method for finding and delivering healing drugs to
newly formed microcracks in bones has been invented by a team of chemists and
bioengineers at Penn State University and Boston University. The method
involves the targeted delivery of the drugs, directly to the cracks, on the
backs of tiny self-powered nanoparticles. The energy that revs the motors of
the nanoparticles and sends them rushing toward the crack comes from a
surprising source -- the crack itself.