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Wamsler K, Head LC, Shendruk TN. Lock-key microfluidics: simulating nematic colloid advection along wavy-walled channels. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:3954-3970. [PMID: 38682298 PMCID: PMC11095502 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01536j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline media mediate interactions between suspended particles and confining geometries, which not only has potential to guide patterning and bottom-up colloidal assembly, but can also control colloidal migration in microfluidic devices. However, simulating such dynamics is challenging because nemato-elasticity, diffusivity and hydrodynamic interactions must all be accounted for within complex boundaries. We model the advection of colloids dispersed in flowing and fluctuating nematic fluids confined within 2D wavy channels. A lock-key mechanism between homeotropic colloids and troughs is found to be stronger for planar anchoring on the wavy walls compared to homeotropic anchoring on the wavy walls due to the relative location of the colloid-associated defects. Sufficiently large amplitudes result in stick-slip trajectories and even permanent locking of colloids in place. These results demonstrate that wavy walls not only have potential to direct colloids to specific docking sites but also to control site-specific resting duration and intermittent elution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Wamsler
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK.
| | - Louise C Head
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK.
| | - Tyler N Shendruk
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK.
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McGovern AD, Huang MJ, Wang J, Kapral R, Aranson IS. Multifunctional Chiral Chemically-Powered Micropropellers for Cargo Transport and Manipulation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304773. [PMID: 37936335 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Practical applications of synthetic self-propelled nano and microparticles for microrobotics, targeted drug delivery, and manipulation at the nanoscale are rapidly expanding. However, fabrication limitations often hinder progress, resulting in relatively simple shapes and limited functionality. Here, taking advantage of 3D nanoscale printing, chiral micropropellers powered by the hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction are fabricated. Due to their chirality, the propellers exhibit multifunctional behavior controlled by an applied magnetic field: spinning in place (loitering), directed migration in the prescribed direction, capture, and transport of polymer cargo particles. Design parameters of the propellers are optimized by computation modeling based on mesoscale molecular dynamics. It is predicted by computer simulations, and confirmed experimentally, that clockwise rotating propellers attract each other and counterclockwise repel. These results shed light on how chirality and shape optimization enhance the functionality of synthetic autonomous micromachines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee D McGovern
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Mu-Jie Huang
- Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Jiyuan Wang
- School of Electrical and Control Engineering, Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, Harbin, 150022, P. R. China
| | - Raymond Kapral
- Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Igor S Aranson
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Mathematics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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Ramos Docampo MA. On Nanomachines and Their Future Perspectives in Biomedicine. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200308. [PMID: 36690500 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Nano/micromotors are a class of active matter that can self-propel converting different types of input energy into kinetic energy. The huge efforts that are made in this field over the last years result in remarkable advances. Specifically, a high number of publications have dealt with biomedical applications that these motors may offer. From the first attempts in 2D cell cultures, the research has evolved to tissue and in vivo experimentation, where motors show promising results. In this Perspective, an overview over the evolution of motors with focus on bio-relevant environments is provided. Then, a discussion on the advances and challenges is presented, and eventually some remarks and perspectives of the field are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Ramos Docampo
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
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Fan R, Habibi P, Padding J, Hartkamp R. Coupling mesoscale transport to catalytic surface reactions in a hybrid model. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:084105. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0081829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Fan
- Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Remco Hartkamp
- Process & Energy, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
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5
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De Corato M, Pagonabarraga I, Natale G. Spontaneous chiralization of polar active particles. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:044607. [PMID: 34781499 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.044607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Polar active particles constitute a wide class of active matter that is able to propel along a preferential direction, given by their polar axis. Here, we demonstrate a generic active mechanism that leads to their spontaneous chiralization through a symmetry-breaking instability. We find that the transition of an active particle from a polar to a chiral symmetry is characterized by the emergence of active rotation and of circular trajectories. The instability is driven by the advection of a solute that interacts differently with the two portions of the particle surface and it occurs through a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Corato
- Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ignacio Pagonabarraga
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, C. Martí Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain and CECAM, Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Batochime, Avenue Forel 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giovanniantonio Natale
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Canada
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Ramos-Docampo MA, Brodszkij E, Ceccato M, Foss M, Folkjær M, Lock N, Städler B. Surface polymerization induced locomotion. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:10035-10043. [PMID: 34037649 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr01465j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nano- and micromotors are self-navigating particles that gain locomotion using fuel from the environment or external power sources to outperform Brownian motion. Herein, motors that make use of surface polymerization of hydroxyethylmethylacrylate to gain locomotion are reported, synthetically mimicking microorganisms' way of propulsion. These motors have enhanced Brownian motion with effective diffusion coefficients up to ∼0.5 μm2 s-1 when mesoporous Janus particles are used. Finally, indication of swarming is observed when high numbers of motors homogenously coated with atom-transfer radical polymerization initiators are used, while high-density Janus motors lost their ability to exhibit enhanced Brownian motion. This report illustrates an alternative route to self-propelled particles, employing a polymerization process that has the potential to be applied for various purposes benefiting from the tool box of modern polymer chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Ramos-Docampo
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
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Chakraborty S, Das SK. Relaxation in a phase-separating two-dimensional active matter system with alignment interaction. J Chem Phys 2020; 153:044905. [PMID: 32752724 DOI: 10.1063/5.0010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Via computer simulations, we study kinetics of pattern formation in a two-dimensional active matter system. Self-propulsion in our model is incorporated via the Vicsek-like activity, i.e., particles have the tendency of aligning their velocities with the average directions of motion of their neighbors. In addition to this dynamic or active interaction, there exists passive inter-particle interaction in the model for which we have chosen the standard Lennard-Jones form. Following quenches of homogeneous configurations to a point deep inside the region of coexistence between high and low density phases, as the systems exhibit formation and evolution of particle-rich clusters, we investigate properties related to the morphology, growth, and aging. A focus of our study is on the understanding of the effects of structure on growth and aging. To quantify the latter, we use the two-time order-parameter autocorrelation function. This correlation, as well as the growth, is observed to follow power-law time dependence, qualitatively similar to the scaling behavior reported for passive systems. The values of the exponents have been estimated and discussed by comparing with the previously obtained numbers for other dimensions as well as with the new results for the passive limit of the considered model. We have also presented results on the effects of temperature on the activity mediated phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saikat Chakraborty
- Theoretical Sciences Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Subir K Das
- Theoretical Sciences Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore 560064, India
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De Corato M, Arqué X, Patiño T, Arroyo M, Sánchez S, Pagonabarraga I. Self-Propulsion of Active Colloids via Ion Release: Theory and Experiments. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 124:108001. [PMID: 32216443 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.108001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We study the self-propulsion of a charged colloidal particle that releases ionic species using theory and experiments. We relax the assumptions of thin Debye length and weak nonequilibrium effects assumed in classical phoretic models. This leads to a number of unexpected features that cannot be rationalized considering the classic phoretic framework: an active particle can reverse the direction of motion by increasing the rate of ion release and can propel even with zero surface charge. Our theory predicts that there are optimal conditions for self-propulsion and a novel regime in which the velocity is insensitive to the background electrolyte concentration. The theoretical results quantitatively capture the salt-dependent velocity measured in our experiments using active colloids that propel by decomposing urea via a surface enzymatic reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Corato
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Xavier Arqué
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Tania Patiño
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Chemistry Department, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marino Arroyo
- LaCàN, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; and Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numèrics en Enginyeria (CIMNE), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Samuel Sánchez
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona Spain; and Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Pagonabarraga
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, C. Martí Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; and CECAM, Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lasuanne (EPFL), Batochime, Avenue Forel 2,1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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