Scientists in the US have developed tiny platinum and gold rods that are able to 'swim' in a solution.

Organisms such as bacteria are able to propel themselves through a solution via a process of chemotaxis, whereby the organisms are able to move in response to a gradient in chemical concentration.

However, Physics World reports that experts at Pennsylvania State University have developed the first non-biological entities that are able to move in the same way.

The rods, which were made of gold along one side and platinum along the other, were placed in a dish containing pure water and a piece of gel containing hydrogen peroxide. The rods moved towards the hydrogen peroxide gel as it leaked slowly from the source, the researchers said.

This is because different chemical reactions occur in hydrogen peroxide when it comes into contact with gold and platinum.

The process could be used to search for the presence of certain chemicals in environments that are hostile to living organisms, the researchers explained.

Source:

Tiny rods steer themselves, 6/11/2007
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/31730

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