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WorldWeird: Micro Swimming Robots

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      CommentAuthorV
    • CommentTimeApr 7th 2008 edited
     (1709.1)
    The lab that makes the gecko bot I'm so enamoured with also makes these brilliant tiny swimming robots.

    They do it by attaching bacteria to the nanobot:
    As the attached bacteria rotate their flagella they push the microsphere forward. The on/off motion of the microspheres is controlled by introducing different chemicals into the experimental environment. To stop the motion, copper ions are introduced. These ions bond to the rotor of the flagellar motor and prevent its motion. To resume the motion we introduce another chemical called ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), which traps the copper ions attached to the rotor of the flagellar motor, allowing it to resume its motion.


    Fancy!
    Lots more info at the link.

    Edit:
    Oh BUM!
    Two minutes later I notice their publicity section and see that there has already been an article over at new scientist.

    So those who care probably already saw this last year.

    Whoops. I get a little excitable about the robots sometimes.
    Feel free to delete this then.
    I'll take at least one full deep breath before posting next time.
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      CommentAuthorTed
    • CommentTimeApr 8th 2008
     (1709.2)
    Oh, wow. I hadn't seen this before, so thanks for posting! What a brilliant idea...though I still think I like the gecko-bot more.
  3.  (1709.3)
    Missed this too. Thanks, Vanessa! :)

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