No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Artificial cilia have been explored for use in microrobotics, MEMS, and lab-on-a-chip devices for applications ranging from micromixers, microfluidic pumps, locomotion, acoustic detection, and heat transfer. We have previously demonstrated the ability to assemble dense brushes of magnetically actuated artificial cilia through the dipolar assembly of 24 nm ferromagnetic cobalt nanoparticles. With little more than a strategically placed permanent magnet, the nanoparticles assemble at room temperature in less than 60 s. Despite areal densities exceeding 1 cilium/mm 2 , diameters below 25 nm, aspect ratios exceeding 400, and flexural rigidities below 3 Â 10 À28 N m 2 , these seemingly delicate structures resist collapse upon each other or the underlying substrate. The current study investigates the ability to rationally control their average length and areal density by changing the nanoparticle concentration and the dimensions of the rectangular capillary tube containing the dispersion. We find that the length and areal density obey a simple conservation of mass relationship with concentration and capillary height such that the product of the former is directly proportional to the product of the latter. Detailed statistical analysis supports a mechanism in which the role of the external field is to align pre-existing chains with the external field, assist stacking of chains along the axis of the field, and then draw them towards the ends of the permanent magnets, where the magnetic field gradient is steepest.

Laser-driven shock compression experiments and corresponding finite element method simulations are carried out to investigate the blueshift in the optical emission spectra under continuous laser excitation of a dilute composite consisting of 0.15% CdTe quantum dots by weight embedded in polyvinyl alcohol polymer. This material is a potential candidate for use as internal stress sensors. The analyses focus on the time histories of the wavelength blue-shift for shock loading with pressures up to 7.3 GPa. The combined measurements and calculations allow a relation between the wavelength blueshift and pressure for the loading conditions to be extracted. It is found that the blueshift first increases with pressure to a maximum and subsequently decreases with pressure. This trend is different from the monotonic increase of blueshift with pressure observed under conditions of quasistatic hydrostatic compression. Additionally, the blueshift in the shock experiments is much smaller than that in hydrostatic experiments at the same pressure levels. The differences in responses are attributed to the different stress states achieved in the shock and hydrostatic experiments and the time dependence of the mechanical response of the polymer in the composite. The findings offer a potential guide for the design and development of materials for internal stress sensors for shock conditions.