Texas A and M team demonstrates 3D maneuverability of metajets with laser light
Updated
Updated · Space War · Apr 20
Texas A and M team demonstrates 3D maneuverability of metajets with laser light
5 articles · Updated · Space War · Apr 20
Dr. Shoufeng Lan’s group achieved the first 3D motion of micron-scale metajets, fabricated at Texas A and M’s AggieFab Nanofabrication Facility, using laser illumination in fluid-based experiments.
The metajets, made from precisely engineered metasurfaces, move by transferring light’s momentum, enabling force generation independent of device size and surpassing previous optical propulsion systems.
This breakthrough could extend to larger systems and applications, including spacecraft propulsion, as the team seeks funding for microgravity testing and advances a broader physics-based framework for light-driven motion.
Can light-powered 'metajets' truly propel future spacecraft to distant stars?
Could this light-propulsion technology lead to real-life tractor beams for delicate tasks?
How do 'metajets' compare to magnetic methods for controlling tiny untethered robots?
What are the biggest hurdles for using these light-driven microrobots in medicine?
Is the massive laser power needed to move large objects practical or just science fiction?
What are the manufacturing challenges in producing these complex nanoscale devices at scale?
Breakthrough in 3D Optical Propulsion: Texas A&M Demonstrates Metajets Enabling Full 3D Laser-Driven Spacecraft Control
Overview
In April 2026, researchers at Texas A&M University achieved the world's first fully three-dimensional optical propulsion system using nanoscale metajets with embedded control mechanisms. These metajets convert laser light momentum into precise mechanical forces, enabling controlled movement in all directions without onboard fuel. Initial tests in fluid environments counteracted gravity, while plans for microgravity experiments aim to validate performance in space. The propulsion force scales with laser power, offering potential for fuel-free spacecraft propulsion and even interstellar missions like a 20-year trip to Alpha Centauri. Beyond space, this breakthrough could advance medical micro-robotics and photonics, though challenges remain in scaling fabrication, material durability, and laser infrastructure.