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Putting those micro-slaves to work
Japanese researchers have created a first bacteria powered micromotor.
The device is essentially a minuscule (20 micrometres, about one fifth of a human hair) version of a horse mill. The bacteria are locked up in a grove and surrounded by proteins that make them all move in the same direction. This forces them to push against one of six feet sticking into the grove, which is attached to a larger circular device.
Don't expect these bacteria to power your vehicle just yet. The current prototype does about 2 rotations per minute, which is still pretty fast given the bacteria's microscopic size.
On the video below you can see the engine in motion. Shot from the top, The green line is the groove in which the bacteria make their rounds. The flower-shaped device is what lies on top of the groove with the feet sticking out from underneat.
August 31, 2006 at 07:37 PM | Permalink
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