Nanoscale Assembly of Actuating Cilia-Mimetic

ORAL

Abstract

The cilium is among the smallest mechanical actuators found in nature. We have taken inspiration from this design to create magnetic nanochains, measuring approximately 1-5 $\mu $m long and 25 nm in diameter. Fabricated from the self-assembly of cobalt nanoparticles, these flexible filaments actuate in an oscillating magnetic field. The cobalt nanoparticles were functionalized with a polystyrene/benzaldehyde surface coating, thus allowing the particles to form imine bonds with one another in the presence of a diamine terminated polyethylene glycol. These imine bonds effectively cross-linked the particles and held the nanochains together in the absence of a magnetic field. Using design of experiments (DOE) to efficiently screen the effects of cobalt nanoparticle concentration, crosslinker concentration, and surface chemistry, we determined that the morphology of the final structures could be explained primarily by physical interactions (i.e. magnetic forces) rather than chemistry.

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Authors

  • Lance Baird

    Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel MD 20723, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Jennifer Breidenich

    Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel MD 20723, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Bruce Land

    Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel MD 20723, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Allen Hayes

    Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel MD 20723, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Jason Benkoski

    Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel MD 20723, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Pei Keng

    University of Arizona

  • Jeffrey Pyun

    Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85721, University of Arizona