Novel algae guiding system to robotize algae cells

Abstract

Algae cells with natural advantages of sensing and moving at micro scale can be regarded as microrobots. While it is difficult to control the locomotion or harness the bioenergy of the cells. This study develops a novel algae guiding system to robotize the algae cell Chlamydomonas reinhardtii based on the phototaxis. Algae cells' swimming trajectory, speed and force were analyzed. Furthermore, the algae cell could be controlled to swim back and forth, and traverse a crossroad as microrobot obeying a man-made rule. Finally, we successfully controlled the motile algae cells to transport microscale loads by the algae guiding system. The robotized algae cells were expected to function in micro assembly and bring significant breakthrough in bioactuation.