Propulsion and energetics of a minimal magnetic microswimmer

Calero, Carles; García-Torres, José; Ortiz-Ambriz, Antonio; Sagués, Francesc; Pagonabarraga, Ignacio; Tierno, Pietro

doi:10.1039/d0sm00564a

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Examples of collective motion of active living systems can be found at every length scale: from colonies of bacteria to flocks of birds. 3 More recently, similar collective behavior has been experimentally mimicked by synthetic active colloids, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] whose activity can be tuned either magnetically, 13,14 chemically, [15][16][17] via electric fields (thanks to induced-charge electrophoresis effects), [18][19][20] or by means of UV light illumination. 13,21,22 On the theoretical side, models have been developed to get a better understanding of the physics of active matter, which might allow for the tailoring new smart materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Characterization of MIPS in a suspension of repulsive active Brownian particles through dynamical features

Martín‐Roca

Martínez

Alexander

et al. 2021

The Journal of Chemical Physics

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We study a two-dimensional system composed by Active Brownian Particles (ABPs), focusing on the onset of Motility Induced Phase Separation (MIPS), by means of molecular dynamics simulations. For a pure hard-disk system with no translational diffusion, the phase diagram would be completely determined by their density and Péclet number. In our model, two additional effects are present: translational noise and the overlap of particles; we study the effects of both in the phase space. As we show, the second effect can be mitigated if we use, instead of the standard Weeks-Chandler-Andersen potential, a stiffer potential: the pseudo-hard sphere potential. Moreover, in determining the boundary of our phase space, we explore different approaches to detect MIPS and conclude that observing dynamical features, via the non-Gaussian parameter, is more efficient than observing structural ones, such as through the local density distribution function. We also demonstrate that the Vogel-Fulcher equation successfully reproduces the decay of the diffusion as a function of density, with the exception of very high densities. Thus, in this regard, the ABP system behaves similar to a fragile glass.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Characterization of MIPS in a suspension of repulsive active Brownian particles through dynamical features

Martín‐Roca

Martínez

Alexander

et al. 2021

The Journal of Chemical Physics

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“…Thereon, sperm-shaped self-assembled nanorobots with modular designs stand out, which integrate a tiny head with a slender tail for agellar construction, and can be treated as an optimal way for essential imitation of the sperms. For example, a Fe 3 O 4 microsphere could be connected with rigid Ni nanorod for sperm-shaped con guration, yet the desired exibility was lacked; or be linked with repolymerized bacterial agellum to achieve agellar propulsion, yet great diversity existed compared with the sperm's shape [28][29][30][31][32] . Despite these tremendous efforts, to the best of our knowledge, no research has realized exible sperm-like nanorobots with assembled head-to-tail structures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial Flexible Sperm-like Nanorobot Based on Self-assembly and Its Magnetically Actuated Propulsion Property

Celi

Cai

2021

Preprint

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Sperm cells can move at a high speed in biofluids based on the flexible flagella, which inspire novel flagellar micro-/nanorobots to be designed. However, mass fabrication of vivid sperm-like nanorobots with flagellar flexibility is still challenging. In this work, a facile and efficient strategy is proposed to produce flexible sperm-like nanorobots with self-assembled head-to-tail structure. The nanorobots were composed of a superparamagnetic head and a flexible Au/PPy flagellum, which were covalently linked via biotin-streptavidin bonding. Under a precessing magnetic field, the head drove the flexible tail to rotate and generated undulatory bending waves propagating along the body. Bidirectional locomotion of the nanorobot was investigated, and moving velocity as well as direction varied with the actuating conditions (field strength, frequency, direction) and the nanorobot’s structure (tail length). Effective flagellar locomotion was observed near the substrate and high velocities were attained in both forward and backward directions. Typical modelling based on elastohydrodynamics and undulatory wave propagation were utilized for propulsion analysis. This research presents novel artificial flexible sperm-like nanorobots with delicate self-assembled head-to-tail structures and remarkable bidirectional locomotion performances, indicating significant potentials for nanorobotic design and future biomedical application.

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“…1 A micromotor is a particle/droplet with various morphologies, such as spherical, helical, 24 and worm-like 5 at the micro-/nano-meter scale. Based on the type of input energy, a micromotor system can be categorised as 6 magnetic, 4,7,8 optical, 9,10 catalytic, 11,12 or an electric micromotor system. 2,13,14 These systems are often submerged in a liquid for functionality.…”

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confidence: 99%

Energy Conversion Efficiency of a Micromotor System

et al. 2021

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The energy conversion efficiency of a micromotor system was quantified. The output of the micromotor system is the mechanical energy of the revolving and spinning motions of the spherical micromotor, which were calculated based on the viscous drag and torque. The input power was calculated using the applied voltage and electric current. Quantification of energy conversion efficiency of the micromotors provides guidelines for the development of the micromotor system and is expected to play a key role in micromotor studies.

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Propulsion and energetics of a minimal magnetic microswimmer

Abstract:
We investigate the propulsion and energetic efficiency of a hybrid microswimmer composed of a ferromagnetic nanorod and a paramagnetic microsphere.

Cited by 7 publications

References 60 publications

Characterization of MIPS in a suspension of repulsive active Brownian particles through dynamical features

Characterization of MIPS in a suspension of repulsive active Brownian particles through dynamical features

Artificial Flexible Sperm-like Nanorobot Based on Self-assembly and Its Magnetically Actuated Propulsion Property

Energy Conversion Efficiency of a Micromotor System

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Propulsion and energetics of a minimal magnetic microswimmer

Abstract: We investigate the propulsion and energetic efficiency of a hybrid microswimmer composed of a ferromagnetic nanorod and a paramagnetic microsphere.

Cited by 7 publications

References 60 publications

Characterization of MIPS in a suspension of repulsive active Brownian particles through dynamical features

Characterization of MIPS in a suspension of repulsive active Brownian particles through dynamical features

Artificial Flexible Sperm-like Nanorobot Based on Self-assembly and Its Magnetically Actuated Propulsion Property

Energy Conversion Efficiency of a Micromotor System

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Product

Resources

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Abstract:
We investigate the propulsion and energetic efficiency of a hybrid microswimmer composed of a ferromagnetic nanorod and a paramagnetic microsphere.