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Texas A&M Laser-Lifted Micron Devices Hint at Light-Speed Spacecraft

4/29/2026

33 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Texas A&M researchers showed a laser beam can lift and steer micron-scale devices in three dimensions.
The devices use ultrathin silicon nanopillars on a metasurface to bend light and create thrust.
In a water-filled cell the metajets moved sideways and rose upward from redirected light.
They said scaling could propel a wafer-thin craft to a fraction of light speed for a 20-year Alpha Centauri trip, needing stronger materials and steadier lasers.

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Story summary

Texas A&M researchers showed a laser beam can lift and steer micron-scale devices in three dimensions.
The devices use ultrathin silicon nanopillars on a metasurface to bend light and create thrust.
In a water-filled cell the metajets moved sideways and rose upward from redirected light.
They said scaling could propel a wafer-thin craft to a fraction of light speed for a 20-year Alpha Centauri trip, needing stronger materials and steadier lasers.