Harnessing active matter for nanoscale applications

A new NSF grant will support a five-year project to develop a unique system of microscale self-propelled particles (SPPs) that will enable them to control the movement and interaction of colloidal SPPs (moving microparticles suspended in a liquid) in unprecedented ways.

Device that 'shakes' light a breakthrough In photonics

Researchers have developed a device that combines mechanical vibration and optical fields to better control light particles. The device has demonstrated an efficient on-chip shaping of photons enabled by nanomechanics driven at microwave frequencies.