Bacteria may soon power micro-machines

                Swarms of bacteria may soon power smart-phones as Oxford researchers have found that natural movement of bugs could be harnessed to assemble and activate tiny ‘windfarms’ in mobile phones. The study uses computer simulations to demonstrate that the chaotic swarming effect of dense active matter such as bacteria can be organized to turn cylindrical rotors and provide a steady power source. Researchers say these biologically driven power plants could be the microscopic engines for tiny, man-made devices that are self-assembled and self-powered.