Tiny robots powered by light can hunt down and collect bacteria
Researchers have developed sub-micrometer robots powered by light-induced photon recoil that can manipulate bacteria. By adjusting light polarization, scientists can steer these tiny machines to collect and transport microscopic biological samples.
Why it matters
This breakthrough in nanorobotics offers a new method for precise manipulation of biological materials, potentially revolutionizing medical and research applications at the cellular level.
Robots small enough to operate in the microbial world could give scientists a new way to directly handle objects that are impossible to manipulate by hand. These tiny machines are around 50 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, bringing researchers closer to the long-pursued goal of interacting directly with the microscopic world.
That capability could be especially useful for biological materials in water, including individual cells and bacteria. Precisely controlling and moving objects at this scale has been a persistent challenge. The newly developed nanorobots show that it is already possible to collect bacteria, transport them, and release them at selected locations.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in