Magnetic Microalgae on a Mission
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have coated a single-celled green microalga with a magnetic material and created a magnetic microalgae robot.
In nature, the ten-micrometers small algae are fantastic swimmers, propelled by their two whip-like flagella at the front. The scientists found that the microrobots maintained their swimming speed after magnetization, demonstrating an average speed of 115 micrometers per second — or about 12 body lengths per second. (By comparison: an Olympic swimmer like Michael Phelps can only reach a speed of 1.4 body lengths per second.)
The study provides insights into how magnetic guidance enables the micro-robots to navigate with precision through narrow, tissue-like environments. The findings open the door to applications such as targeted drug delivery, providing a biocompatible solution for medical treatments with exciting potential for future innovations in biomedicine and beyond.