Micromotors with asymmetric shape that efficiently convert light into work by thermocapillary effects

Maggi, Claudio; Saglimbeni, Filippo; Dipalo, Michele; Angelis, Francesco De; Leonardo, R. Di

doi:10.1038/ncomms8855

Cited by 238 publications

(225 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…The maximum of W = 373 k B T and η eff = 1.16 · 10 −14 are reached for P = 2.7 mW and T 0 = 26 • C. The amount of work performed by this critical engine exceeds that of colloidal heat engines such as the Brownian Carnot engine (W max = 5 k B T ) [14] and the micro-metre sized heat engine (W max = 0.3 k B T ) [13]. Its efficiency is comparable to the efficiency of a rotating object driven by the transfer of the angular momentum from a circularly polarized beam (η eff ∼ 10 −14 ) [6] or by thermophoresis on asymmetric gears (η eff ∼ 10 −13 ) [28]. We remark that, even though in our case the work done by the particle is immediately dissipated as heat into the fluid, it remains in principle accessible, e.g., by attaching a load to the particle.…”

Section: Critical Engine Performancementioning

confidence: 80%

“…Compared to other micron-sized engines developed in the last years [13][14][15], this critical engine has the advantages of not relying on the transfer of external angular momentum and of working at room temperature in contact with a single heat reservoir. The work performed per cycle by this engine exceeds those of other microscopic heat engines by orders of magnitude, while its efficiency is comparable to micron-sized engines driven by external angular momentum or thermophoresis [13,14,28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Microscopic Engine Powered by Critical Demixing

et al. 2018

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By converting energy into mechanical work, engines play a central role in most biological and technological processes. In particular, within the current trend towards the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, microscopic engines have been attracting an ever-increasing interest. On the one hand, there has been a quest to understand how biological molecular motors work. On the other hand, several approaches have been proposed to realize artificial microscopic engines, which have been powered by the transfer of light momentum, by external magnetic fields, by in situ chemical reactions, or by the energy flow between hot and cold heat reservoirs, in scaled-down versions of macroscopic heat engines. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a microscopic engine powered by the local reversible demixing of a critical mixture. We show that, when an absorbing microsphere is optically trapped by a focused laser beam in a sub-critical mixture, it is set into rotation around the optical axis of the beam because of the emergence of diffusiophoretic propulsion; this behavior can be controlled by adjusting the optical power, the temperature, and the criticality of the mixture. Given its simplicity, this microscopic engine provides a powerful tool to power micro-and nanodevices. Furthermore, since many biological systems are tuned near criticality, this mechanism might already be at work within living organisms, for example in proteins and in cellular membranes.

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Section: Critical Engine Performancementioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Microscopic Engine Powered by Critical Demixing

et al. 2018

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“…Optical properties of graphene quantum dots, amenable with paper‐based manufacturing technology, are worthy of being explored for the development of rolled‐up tubular micromotors. The presented structures combined with their electrical features can be of profit for enhanced micromotors, soft micromachines, biomimetics, kirigami‐like structures, and developing micro‐opto‐electromechanical devices …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Architecting Graphene Oxide Rolled‐Up Micromotors: A Simple Paper‐Based Manufacturing Technology

Baptista-Pires

Orozco

Guardia

et al. 2017

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A graphene oxide rolled-up tube production process is reported using wax-printed membranes for the fabrication of on-demand engineered micromotors at different levels of oxidation, thickness, and lateral dimensions. The resultant graphene oxide rolled-up tubes can show magnetic and catalytic movement within the addition of magnetic nanoparticles or sputtered platinum in the surface of graphene-oxide-modified wax-printed membranes prior to the scrolling process. As a proof of concept, the as-prepared catalytic graphene oxide rolled-up micromotors are successfully exploited for oil removal from water. This micromotor production technology relies on an easy, operator-friendly, fast, and cost-efficient wax-printed paper-based method and may offer a myriad of hybrid devices and applications.

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“…Temperature differences also induce surface tension gradients, since the interfacial tension of fluid–fluid interfaces depends on the local temperature . While this phenomenon has been studied for over 100 years, it has only recently received attention for use in practical applications . In this study, we demonstrate the first enclosed micropump driven by temperature gradients along fluid–fluid interfaces.…”

mentioning

confidence: 93%

Temperature Gradients Drive Bulk Flow Within Microchannel Lined by Fluid–Fluid Interfaces

Amador

Tabak

Alapan

et al. 2019

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Surface tension gradients induce Marangoni flow, which may be exploited for fluid transport. At the micrometer scale, these surface‐driven flows can be quite significant. By introducing fluid–fluid interfaces along the walls of microfluidic channels, bulk fluid flows driven by temperature gradients are observed. The temperature dependence of the fluid–fluid interfacial tension appears responsible for these flows. In this report, the design concept for a biocompatible microchannel capable of being powered by solar irradiation is provided. Using microscale particle image velocimetry, a bulk flow generated by apparent surface tension gradients along the walls is observed. The direction of flow relative to the imposed temperature gradient agrees with the expected surface tension gradient. The phenomenon's ability to replace bulky peripherals, like traditional syringe pumps, on a diagnostic microfluidic device that captures and detects leukocyte subpopulations within blood is demonstrated. Such microfluidic devices may be implemented for clinical assays at the point of care without the use of electricity.

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Micromotors with asymmetric shape that efficiently convert light into work by thermocapillary effects

Cited by 238 publications

References 31 publications

Microscopic Engine Powered by Critical Demixing

Microscopic Engine Powered by Critical Demixing

Architecting Graphene Oxide Rolled‐Up Micromotors: A Simple Paper‐Based Manufacturing Technology

Temperature Gradients Drive Bulk Flow Within Microchannel Lined by Fluid–Fluid Interfaces

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