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Researchers have uncovered how microscopic swimmers like sperm cells navigate through thick fluids while seemingly ignoring fundamental physics principles. The study reveals these biological entities utilize unique elastic properties that create propulsion without equal opposition from their environment. These findings could advance microrobotics and our understanding of collective biological behaviors.

Breaking Physics at Microscopic Scales

Scientists have documented how human sperm and other microscopic biological entities appear to bypass one of physics’ fundamental principles, Newton’s third law of motion, according to recent research. The study, led by mathematical scientist Kenta Ishimoto at Kyoto University, investigated how these tiny swimmers navigate through highly viscous fluids that should theoretically resist their movement.