[Tyler]

Bacteria Turn Microgears
     







Researchers from Argonne National Lab and elsewhere are finding ways to
use the motion of swimming bacteria to move
very tiny gears.  
The gear's shape directs a group of unsuspecting bacteria in such a way
as to cause rotary motion.
This motion can then be used to power tiny mechanical systems - possibly
medical devices or maybe even tiny robots.
Speed of the gears can be controlled by modulating the oxygen level
within the suspension fluid - since bacteria love o2, feeding them more
increases the speed while cutting off the supply stops motion.


   

http://robots.net/article/2985.html