Whiskey chemistry propels microscopic machines through liquid

Whiskey chemistry propels microscopic machines through liquid Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Robert Egan Associate Editor Whisky-inspired chemicals could help power a new generation of microscopic machines, according to researchers who have discovered a way to make tiny particles "swim" through liquid using compounds linked to the production of Scotland's national drink. Scientists drew inspiration from the chemistry behind whisky's distinctive flavors and aromas, which are shaped by sulfur-containing compounds formed during fermentation and modulated during distillation and aging. By harnessing reactions between these sulfur compounds and copper, the researchers developed tiny particles which can move through liquid by themselves. They are so small several of them could fit across the width of a human hair. It is hoped the experimental work, published in the ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, may open up new possibilities for designing tiny self-propelled systems inspired by everyday industrial and natural processes. Lead researcher Dr. Juliane Simmchen from the University of Strathclyde's Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, said, "The work was inspired by the well-known reactivity between copper and sulfides that slowly consumes the whiskey stills and requires them to be exchanged periodically during whiskey making. "In this research, the microscopic swimmers are tiny copper-based particles. When they are placed in liquids containing certain sulfur compounds, reactions on the particle surface make them move through the liquid on their own. "We found that a group of water-soluble sulfur compounds that are often related to whiskey successfully powered the particles, with some traveling at speeds of up to 30 micrometers per second." Researchers also examined how the particles behaved in mixtures of water and ethanol, the alcohol found in whiskey. The study showed that changing the liquid environment affected how they moved, offering new insights into how microscopic propulsion systems could be controlled. Publication details Khalifa Mohamed et al, Whisky-Inspired Active Matter, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2026). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6c00489 Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Key concepts particulatesulfurChemical Physics & Physical ChemistrySurface & interfacial phenomenaTransport phenomenaProvided by University of Strathclyde, Glasgow