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Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

Eukaryotic cells have different motor proteins for transporting various cargo within the cell. These motor proteins differ based on the filament they associate with, the direction they move within the cell, and the type of cargo they transport. Motor proteins that associate with microtubules are known as microtubule-associated motor proteins. There are two families of microtubule-associated motor proteins —Kinesins and Dyneins. Both these proteins assist in the transport of cellular cargos...
Overview of Microscopy Techniques01:22

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...
The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles01:43

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
Types of Membrane Protrusions01:28

Types of Membrane Protrusions

The protrusion of the cell surface is an initial step for several cellular processes, including cell migration, phagocytosis, and neurite outgrowth. These membrane protrusions are a result of cytoskeletal rearrangement. The most  widely observed cell protrusions include lamellipodia, pseudopodia, filopodia, microvilli, invadopodia, and podosomes. These protrusions can be of two types — static or dynamic.
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections with a...

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Reactive Inkjet Printing and Propulsion Analysis of Silk-based Self-propelled Micro-stirrers
09:23

Reactive Inkjet Printing and Propulsion Analysis of Silk-based Self-propelled Micro-stirrers

Published on: April 26, 2019

Macroscopic self-propelled objects.

Guanjia Zhao1, Martin Pumera

  • 1Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore.

Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|May 23, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers are advancing macroscopic self-propelled systems. This review covers millimeter- and centimeter-sized devices, their energy sources, and their ability to move significant distances at high speeds.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Robotics

Background:

  • Self-propelled systems are a rapidly advancing field of research.
  • Macroscopic objects exhibiting autonomous motion are of significant scientific interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the progress in constructing millimeter- and centimeter-sized self-propelled macroscopic objects.
  • To discuss the diverse energy sources powering these systems.
  • To present the capabilities of these devices in terms of speed and travel distance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on self-propelled macroscopic systems.
  • Analysis of energy transduction mechanisms (electromagnetic, electric, thermal, chemical).
  • Compilation of performance data regarding velocity and range.

Main Results:

  • Significant progress has been made in the construction of millimeter- and centimeter-sized self-propelled objects.
  • Various energy sources, including electromagnetic fields, electric fields, thermal gradients, and chemical energy, are effectively utilized.
  • These devices demonstrate notable locomotion capabilities, achieving velocities of tens of cm/s and covering distances of several tens of meters.

Conclusions:

  • The field of macroscopic self-propelled systems is maturing, with demonstrated practical capabilities.
  • The choice of energy source significantly influences the performance characteristics of these systems.
  • Future research is expected to further enhance the speed, range, and autonomy of these advanced devices.