In a breakthrough study published recently in Nature Nanotechnology, a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of bacterial motor that can be controlled with light and is more efficient than existing models. This new motor, which is essentially a tiny, light-driven nanomachine, could have a range of applications in medical and industrial fields. The team used a naturally occurring bacterial protein known as a flagellar motor, which is found in many bacteria and is responsible for their swimming and movement. By combining this protein with light-sensitive molecules, they were able to control the motor using light, allowing them to direct the bacteria in a specific direction. The motor is also more efficient than existing models, as it uses up to 60% less energy to move the same distance. This could make it an attractive option for various industrial applications, such as powering tiny robots or micro-machines.

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source: Phys.org