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Light controlled 3D micromotors powered by bacteria

Author

Listed:
  • Gaszton Vizsnyiczai

    (Università di Roma ‘Sapienza’)

  • Giacomo Frangipane

    (Università di Roma ‘Sapienza’)

  • Claudio Maggi

    (NANOTEC-CNR, Institute of Nanotechnology, Soft and Living Matter Laboratory)

  • Filippo Saglimbeni

    (NANOTEC-CNR, Institute of Nanotechnology, Soft and Living Matter Laboratory)

  • Silvio Bianchi

    (NANOTEC-CNR, Institute of Nanotechnology, Soft and Living Matter Laboratory)

  • Roberto Di Leonardo

    (Università di Roma ‘Sapienza’
    NANOTEC-CNR, Institute of Nanotechnology, Soft and Living Matter Laboratory)

Abstract

Self-propelled bacteria can be integrated into synthetic micromachines and act as biological propellers. So far, proposed designs suffer from low reproducibility, large noise levels or lack of tunability. Here we demonstrate that fast, reliable and tunable bio-hybrid micromotors can be obtained by the self-assembly of synthetic structures with genetically engineered biological propellers. The synthetic components consist of 3D interconnected structures having a rotating unit that can capture individual bacteria into an array of microchambers so that cells contribute maximally to the applied torque. Bacterial cells are smooth swimmers expressing a light-driven proton pump that allows to optically control their swimming speed. Using a spatial light modulator, we can address individual motors with tunable light intensities allowing the dynamic control of their rotational speeds. Applying a real-time feedback control loop, we can also command a set of micromotors to rotate in unison with a prescribed angular speed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gaszton Vizsnyiczai & Giacomo Frangipane & Claudio Maggi & Filippo Saglimbeni & Silvio Bianchi & Roberto Di Leonardo, 2017. "Light controlled 3D micromotors powered by bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15974
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15974
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    Cited by:

    1. Helena Massana-Cid & Claudio Maggi & Giacomo Frangipane & Roberto Di Leonardo, 2022. "Rectification and confinement of photokinetic bacteria in an optical feedback loop," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Nguyen, Minh D.N. & Pham, Phuc H. & Ngo, Khang V. & Do, Van H. & Li, Shengkai & Phan, Trung V., 2024. "Remark on the entropy production of adaptive run-and-tumble chemotaxis," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 634(C).

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