Optorheological Characteristics of Photosynthetic Bacterium Suspension

Understanding the rheological behavior of materials is of great importance in science. Here, we report a microscopic foundation for optorheology by manipulating the rheological feature through light. A new phenomenon is observed in the photosynthetic bacterial suspension, that the fluid viscosity changes by light-induced electrons. Type IV pili of photosynthetic bacteria is found, and it allows the electron to transport through the exterior of cells and changes the surface potential of cells, which causes an adjustment in the spatial arrangement of cells in the suspension. When an external electric field is applied, the electric dipole of the cells is induced and their dispersion is changed. The rheological properties are measured to evaluate the internal structure of the suspension depending on the light. The photoelectrons enhance the dispersion of the photosynthetic bacteria in the solution, thus leading to a significant increment in the viscosity. We envision that this discovery will provide new applications to the interface of optics, bioengineering, and rheology.