Painting with bacteria: Smart templated self assembly using motile bacteria
Jochen Arlt, Vincent A Martinez, Angela Dawson, Teuta Pilizota and, Wilson C K Poon

TL;DR
This paper demonstrates how light-controlled motile bacteria can be used to self-assemble and reconfigure structures in fluid environments, advancing the design of active matter systems.
Contribution
It introduces a novel method for reconfigurable active self-assembly using light-powered bacteria, with detailed analysis of pattern formation dynamics.
Findings
Light-controlled bacteria enable dynamic pattern formation.
Fast-responding strains improve assembly sharpness and speed.
Reconfigurable structures can be formed in situ in fluid environments.
Abstract
External control of the swimming speed of `active particles' can be used to self assemble designer structures in situ on the micrometer to millimeter scale. We demonstrate such reconfigurable templated active self assembly in a fluid environment using light powered strains of Escherichia coli. The physics and biology controlling the sharpness and formation speed of patterns is investigated using a bespoke fast-responding strain.
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