Light‐Emitting Electrochemical “Swimmers”

Swimmer in the dark: Propulsion of a conducting object is intrinsically coupled with light emission using bipolar electrochemistry. Asymmetric redox activity on the surface of the swimmer (black bead; see picture) causes production of gas bubbles to propel the swimmer in a glass tube with simultaneous electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission to monitor the progress of the swimmer.