Cilia are tiny hair-like motors found on the surface of many microorganisms. They act as natural engines, enabling movement, sensing, and coordination. Each cilium can sense its surroundings and regulate its rhythmic beating — so smart! Researchers at Tampere University aim to reproduce this natural phenomenon in the laboratory through a project called Cilia. The goal is to create artificial cilia that mimic the functions of natural ones. What can they do? They are powered by light or heat, can self-rotate and even synchronize to propel liquids The size? We will make them within the thickness of human hair (less than 0.1 mm). But, how to see them? No worries, we will also make a bigger one, centimeter long, that operates using hot water or sunlight. What is the application? Light-controlled active catheters for medical use and devices that harvest energy from waste heat, are the fields we foresee. Stay tuned!

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2030