Overview

• A joint U.S.–China team reports millimeter-scale “jumpers” that cavitation-launch up to 1.5 meters with takeoff speeds exceeding 12 meters per second.
• Researchers direct motion by tuning where and how energy is applied, controlling launch direction, distance, and whether devices jump, slide, or swim.
• The cavitation trigger works with a laser and can also be activated by ultrasound or an electrical spark, expanding use cases beyond optical setups.
• Potential applications include needle-free injections, targeted drug delivery, precision micro-assembly, and inspection of confined or hard-to-reach spaces.
• The approach remains a proof-of-concept with key hurdles such as material biocompatibility, precise cavitation control in tissue, and limited light penetration.