Researchers at Texas A&M used lasers to steer microscopic devices called metajets in three dimensions. The work was led by Shoufeng Lan and published in Newton. Each metajet moves when laser light shines on it.
Metajets are made from metasurfaces, which are ultrathin materials patterned at the nanoscale to control light. By shaping the surface, the team made light transfer momentum and push the device, a bit like bouncing ping pong balls.
Devices are smaller than a human hair and were built at AggieFab. Researchers tested them in a fluid to see motion and are seeking funding to try tests in microgravity. The idea could help future space travel, since current rockets would take hundreds of thousands of years to reach Alpha Centauri.
Difficult words
- laser — device that makes a strong beam of lightlasers
- metajet — very small moving device pushed by lightmetajets
- metasurface — very thin material with tiny surface patternsmetasurfaces
- momentum — force that keeps an object moving
- nanoscale — size about one billionth of a meter
- microgravity — condition of very low gravity, like in space
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you be interested in working with tiny devices like metajets? Why or why not?
- Would you test the devices first in a fluid or in microgravity? Explain your choice.
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