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Painting with light-powered bacteria

Author

Listed:
  • Jochen Arlt

    (The University of Edinburgh)

  • Vincent A. Martinez

    (The University of Edinburgh)

  • Angela Dawson

    (The University of Edinburgh)

  • Teuta Pilizota

    (The University of Edinburgh)

  • Wilson C. K. Poon

    (The University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Self-assembly is a promising route for micro- and nano-fabrication with potential to revolutionise many areas of technology, including personalised medicine. Here we demonstrate that external control of the swimming speed of microswimmers can be used to self assemble reconfigurable designer structures in situ. We implement such ‘smart templated active self assembly’ in a fluid environment by using spatially patterned light fields to control photon-powered strains of motile Escherichia coli bacteria. The physics and biology governing the sharpness and formation speed of patterns is investigated using a bespoke strain designed to respond quickly to changes in light intensity. Our protocol provides a distinct paradigm for self-assembly of structures on the 10 μm to mm scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Jochen Arlt & Vincent A. Martinez & Angela Dawson & Teuta Pilizota & Wilson C. K. Poon, 2018. "Painting with light-powered bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03161-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03161-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Guevara-Valadez, Carlos Antonio & Marathe, Rahul & Gomez-Solano, Juan Ruben, 2023. "A Brownian cyclic engine operating in a viscoelastic active suspension," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 609(C).
    2. 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.
    3. Antoine Aubret & Quentin Martinet & Jeremie Palacci, 2021. "Metamachines of pluripotent colloids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Alberto Dinelli & Jérémy O’Byrne & Agnese Curatolo & Yongfeng Zhao & Peter Sollich & Julien Tailleur, 2023. "Non-reciprocity across scales in active mixtures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Nicola Pellicciotta & Matteo Paoluzzi & Dario Buonomo & Giacomo Frangipane & Luca Angelani & Roberto Di Leonardo, 2023. "Colloidal transport by light induced gradients of active pressure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.

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