Researchers at the University of Bristol have made a breakthrough in the development of “life-like” synthetic materials which are able to move by themselves like worms.

Scientists have been investigating a new class of materials called “active matter,” which could be used for various applications from drug delivery to self-healing materials.

Compared to inanimate matter—the sort of motionless materials we come across in our lives every day, such as plastic and wood—active matter can show fascinating life-like behavior.