Controlled Surface-Induced Flows from the Motion of Self-Assembled Colloidal Walkers

Biological flows at the microscopic scale are important for the transport of nutrients, locomotion, and differentiation. Here, we present a unique approach for creating controlled, surface-induced flows inspired by a ubiquitous biological system, cilia. Our design is based on a collection of self-as...

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Published inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 107; no. 2; pp. 535 - 540
Main Authors Sing, Charles E., Schmid, Lothar, Schneider, Matthias F., Franke, Thomas, Alexander-Katz, Alfredo, Lubensky, Tom C.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States National Academy of Sciences 12.01.2010
National Acad Sciences
Subjects
Average velocity
Biological Sciences
Biological Transport - physiology
Biology - methods
Carpets
Cells
Cilia
Cilia - physiology
Colloids
Computer Simulation
Design
Electric fields
Electromagnetic Fields
Fluid dynamics
Geometric planes
Hydrodynamics
Kinetics
Magnetic fields
Magnetics
Mathematics
Motion
Physical Sciences
Pigmentation - physiology
Rotation
Velocity distribution
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Summary:Biological flows at the microscopic scale are important for the transport of nutrients, locomotion, and differentiation. Here, we present a unique approach for creating controlled, surface-induced flows inspired by a ubiquitous biological system, cilia. Our design is based on a collection of self-assembled colloidal rotors that "walk" along surfaces in the presence of a rotating magnetic field. These rotors are held together solely by magnetic forces that allow for reversible assembly and disassembly of the chains. Furthermore, rotation of the magnetic field allows for straightforward manipulation of the shape and motion of these chains. This system offers a simple and versatile approach for designing microfluidic devices as well as for studying fundamental questions in cooperative-driven motion and transport at the microscopic level.
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Edited by Tom C. Lubensky, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, and approved November 19, 2009 (received for review June 11, 2009)
Author contributions: C.E.S., L.S., M.F.S., T.F., and A.A.-K. performed research; C.E.S., L.S., T.F., and A.A.-K. analyzed data; C.E.S. and A.A.-K. wrote the paper; and A.A.-K. designed research.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.0906489107