A single-celled organism can compress itself to one-quarter of its original length in mere milliseconds, according to a report from ScienceDaily. The feat is powered by an unusual protein structure that acts like a fishnet and is activated by calcium.
Researchers believe this natural mechanism could offer a blueprint for artificial muscles. Today's engineered designs move far more slowly, and the organism's approach may point toward faster, more responsive materials.
The report does not name the organism or specify the researchers involved, but it highlights the potential of the discovery for bio-inspired engineering. No conflicting sources were available, so the findings stand as presented in the ScienceDaily release.