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Topographical pathways guide chemical microswimmers

Author

Listed:
  • Juliane Simmchen

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme)

  • Jaideep Katuri

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme)

  • William E. Uspal

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme
    IV. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart)

  • Mihail N. Popescu

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme
    IV. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart)

  • Mykola Tasinkevych

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme
    IV. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart)

  • Samuel Sánchez

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme
    Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)
    Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (ICREA))

Abstract

Achieving control over the directionality of active colloids is essential for their use in practical applications such as cargo carriers in microfluidic devices. So far, guidance of spherical Janus colloids was mainly realized using specially engineered magnetic multilayer coatings combined with external magnetic fields. Here we demonstrate that step-like submicrometre topographical features can be used as reliable docking and guiding platforms for chemically active spherical Janus colloids. For various topographic features (stripes, squares or circular posts), docking of the colloid at the feature edge is robust and reliable. Furthermore, the colloids move along the edges for significantly long times, which systematically increase with fuel concentration. The observed phenomenology is qualitatively captured by a simple continuum model of self-diffusiophoresis near confining boundaries, indicating that the chemical activity and associated hydrodynamic interactions with the nearby topography are the main physical ingredients behind the observed behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliane Simmchen & Jaideep Katuri & William E. Uspal & Mihail N. Popescu & Mykola Tasinkevych & Samuel Sánchez, 2016. "Topographical pathways guide chemical microswimmers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10598
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10598
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefania Ketzetzi & Melissa Rinaldin & Pim Dröge & Joost de Graaf & Daniela J. Kraft, 2022. "Activity-induced interactions and cooperation of artificial microswimmers in one-dimensional environments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. María J. Esplandiu & David Reguera & Daniel Romero-Guzmán & Amparo M. Gallardo-Moreno & Jordi Fraxedas, 2022. "From radial to unidirectional water pumping in zeta-potential modulated Nafion nanostructures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Cristóvão S. Dias & Manish Trivedi & Giovanni Volpe & Nuno A. M. Araújo & Giorgio Volpe, 2023. "Environmental memory boosts group formation of clueless individuals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Dolachai Boniface & Sergi G. Leyva & Ignacio Pagonabarraga & Pietro Tierno, 2024. "Clustering induces switching between phoretic and osmotic propulsion in active colloidal rafts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Adérito Fins Carreira & Adam Wysocki & Christophe Ybert & Mathieu Leocmach & Heiko Rieger & Cécile Cottin-Bizonne, 2024. "How to steer active colloids up a vertical wall," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    6. Cornel Dillinger & Nitesh Nama & Daniel Ahmed, 2021. "Ultrasound-activated ciliary bands for microrobotic systems inspired by starfish," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.

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