Light Driven Fuel-Free Thermocapillary Microswimmers

ORAL

Abstract

Surface tension is a powerful agent for driving biological and artificial micron-sized particles. Surface tension gradients however, typically require a chemical reaction, making a capillary based swimmer fuel dependent. By combining a light absorbing bead with a fluid droplet we made a dimer that is propelled by light, and requires no chemical fuel. The 6 μm swimmers’ motility records over 10 μm/s and show good with measured thermocapillary and hydrodynamic parameters. We discuss the swimmers’ manipulation and interactions.

*M.Y.B.Z. acknowledges support by the Center for Bio Inspired Energy Sciences, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the DOE, Office of Sciences, Basic Energy Sciences, under award DE-SC0000989 (Paul M. Chakin)

Presenters

  • Matan Yah Ben Zion

    • New York University

Authors

  • Matan Yah Ben Zion

    • New York University
  • Yaelin Caba

    • New York University
  • Alvin Modin

    • New York University
  • Paul M Chaikin

    • New York University
    • Center for Soft Matter Research, New York University