Swarmbots (IMAGE) Duke University Caption Capsules containing tailored bacteria called "swarmbots" grow and shrink in response to the chemical environment they contain. The swarmbots sense their own population density has reached a certain level and split open to release their contents, including a protein they've been engineered to manufacture. The capsule then shrinks and the process resumes when nutrients are introduced. Credit Zhuojun Dai Usage Restrictions Usage with credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.