Remote control of self-assembled microswimmers

ORAL

Abstract

Physics governing the locomotion of microorganisms and other microsystems is dominated by viscous damping. An effective swimming strategy involves the non-reciprocal and periodic deformations of the considered body. Herein, we show that a magnetocapillary-driven self-assembly, composed of three soft-ferromagnetic beads, is able to swim along a liquid-air interface when driven by an external magnetic field. Moreover, the system can be fully controled, opening ways to explore low Reynolds number swimming and to create micromanipulators in various applications.

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Authors

  • Nicolas Vandewalle

    GRASP, Physics Department B5a, University of Li\`ege, B-4000 Li\`ege, Belgium, GRASP, Institute Physics B5a, Sart Tilman, University of Liege, B4000 Liege, Belgium, University of Li\`ege, GRASP, Institute of Physics B5a, Sart Tilman, University of Li\`ege, B4000 Li\`ege, Belgium

  • Galien Grosjean

    GRASP, Institute Physics B5a, Sart Tilman, University of Liege, B4000 Liege, Belgium

  • Alexis Darras

    GRASP, Institute Physics B5a, Sart Tilman, University of Liege, B4000 Liege, Belgium

  • Guillaume Lagubeau

    GRASP, Physics Department B5a, University of Li\`ege, B-4000 Li\`ege, Belgium, GRASP, Physics Department, University of Li\`ege, B-4000 Li\`ege, Belgium, GRASP, Institute Physics B5a, Sart Tilman, University of Liege, B4000 Liege, Belgium

  • Maxime Hubert

    GRASP, Institute Physics B5a, Sart Tilman, University of Liege, B4000 Liege, Belgium, University of Li\`ege

  • Geoffroy Lumay

    GRASP, Physics Department B5a, University of Li\`ege, B-4000 Li\`ege, Belgium, GRASP, Institute Physics B5a, Sart Tilman, University of Liege, B4000 Liege, Belgium