A microscopic factory for small runners: New method uses magnetic loops for growth control

Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have developed a new method for controlling the growth of physical micro-runners. They used an external magnetic field to assemble paramagnetic colloidal spheres--i.e. only magnetic due to external influences--into rods of a certain length. Colloidal particles are tiny particles in the micro- or nanometer range that can be used in medicine as carriers of biochemicals.