Low Reynolds number locomotion in truncated superparamagnetic membranes

Magnetic fields allow for the remote manipulation of bio-orthogonal microscale robots that have applications in drug delivery or microsurgery. Oscillations in triaxial magnetic fields induce non-reciprocal, wave-like motions on circular membrane patches. We show how the membrane actuation is controlled by dimensionless parameters that depend on the magnitude, angle and frequency of precessing magnetic fields to induce circumferential and radial membrane waves. Using the lattice Boltzmann method, we implement hydrodynamic interactions that reveal the flow field of the surrounding fluid and show how truncated circular patches swim at low Reynolds numbers.