scientists at texas a&m university have developed a photon-driven device at the single-molecule scale. by harnessing light as an energy source, it enables the control of microscopic object motion without any mechanical contact.
the technology is based on so-called metasurfaces—structures composed of nanoscale elements smaller than the wavelength of light. these surfaces alter the behavior of light by controlling its direction, phase, and polarization.
in experiments, objects equipped with such a surface were placed in a liquid and illuminated with a laser. by adjusting the parameters of the light, researchers were able to make the objects move in different directions and even change course.
photon engine
in effect, this approach allows light flux to be converted into controlled pulses. scientists believe this technology could be applied to microscale medical, chemical, and nanomanipulation tasks, ranging from molecular research to potential biomedical applications.
