Engineers from the University of California, San Diego, have developed a material that glows when
For their work, the scientists studied bioluminescentwaves that sometimes occur on the beaches of San Diego during red tides. The light comes from single-celled algae called dinoflagellates. Scientists have found that they begin to glow only under mechanical action.
To make devices, researchers introducea solution of Pyrocystis lunula dinoflagellates into a cavity made of a soft elastic transparent material. The material can be of any shape - in their work, the researchers tested various forms, including flat sheets, X-shaped structures and small pouches.
Devices can be charged with light.Dinoflagellates are photosynthetic, meaning they use sunlight to produce food and energy. The bright light on the devices during the day gives them the energy they need to glow at night.
Various objects created from new material. Image: Chenghai Li et al., Nature Communications
The biggest challenge was figuring out howkeep dinoflagellates alive and thriving inside material structures, scientists say. The most difficult was to provide access to oxygen. The researchers solved this problem by making the material porous enough to allow gases to pass through but keep the cultures inside.
The devices are so sensitive that evena light touch is enough to make them glow, the authors note. The researchers made the devices glow by vibrating them, drawing on their surfaces, and blowing air over them. This means that even a light air flow will be enough for the robots to start glowing. At the same time, you can control the device using small magnets.
Read more:
Mysterious 'blue goo' at the bottom of the sea baffles scientists
Developed generator for wind farms without expensive magnets
Look at a phenomenon that is simply impossible on Mars