Light sprinkler

摘要： Although high rotation rates have been achieved with optically driven micro-rotors, particularly in low-viscosity fluids or with small rotor sizes to minimize drag, the demonstrated torque efficiency is typically small in practice compared with theoretical maxima. Now, Silvio Bianchi and colleagues in Italy and Hungary have demonstrated that with precise rerouting of light in 3D structures fabricated by direct laser writing, optical micro-turbines can better harness light’s momentum and efficiently generate uniform and controllable torque.