The tiny devices, which mimic the abilities of some living organisms, were created with a form of a microcrystal that utilises self-continuous reciprocating motion for propulsion.
Historically, there have been two major challenges to achieving this kind of movement. The first is to make a molecular robot that can reciprocally deform; the second is converting this deformation into propulsion of the molecular robot.
The research team built on their previous study that had solved the first challenge: the creation of molecular robots that can reciprocally deform. However, tiny objects cannot typically convert their reciprocal motion into progressive motion.
The scientists managed to achieve self-propulsion of the molecular robot in an experimental system where motion was confined to two dimensions.
The microrobot was powered by blue light, which drove a series of reactions leading to the fin flipping and the propulsion.
Due to the nature of the reactions...