Multimedia Gallery
July 25, 2018
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Videos credited to the National Science Foundation, an agency of the U.S. Government, may be distributed freely. However, some materials within the videos may be copyrighted. If you would like to use portions of NSF-produced programs in another product, please contact the Video Team in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs at the National Science Foundation.
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Micro-particles self-assemble into spinning gears
Self-assembly is common in nature, and enables life to function, from healing damage to changing shape. Now, researchers have developed a new way to mimic self-assembly in the lab, coaxing specially designed microscopic objects into small, gear-like machines. The building blocks are self-powered microparticles that propel after being activated by light. The researchers specially designed them to autonomously sense light gradients and navigate in light patterns. The result is a controlled self-assembly of seven of the tiny building blocks into a spinning microgear -- a "machine made of machines."
Credit: National Science Foundation
Images and other media in the National Science Foundation Multimedia Gallery are available for use in print and electronic material by NSF employees, members of the media, university staff, teachers and the general public. All media in the gallery are intended for personal, educational and nonprofit/non-commercial use only.
Videos credited to the National Science Foundation, an agency of the U.S. Government, may be distributed freely. However, some materials within the videos may be copyrighted. If you would like to use portions of NSF-produced programs in another product, please contact the Video Team in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs at the National Science Foundation.
Additional information about general usage can be found in Conditions.