Bioinspired self-assembled colloidal collectives drifting in three dimensions underwater.

ABSTRACT: Active matter systems feature a series of unique behaviors, including the emergence of collective self-assembly structures and collective migration. However, realizing collective entities formed by synthetic active matter in spaces without wall-bounded support makes it challenging to perform three-dimensional (3D) locomotion without dispersion. Inspired by the migration mechanism of plankton, we propose a bimodal actuation strategy in the artificial colloidal systems, i.e., combining magnetic and optical fields. The magnetic field triggers the self-assembly of magnetic colloidal particles to form a colloidal collective, maintaining numerous colloids as a dynamically stable entity. The optical field allows the colloidal collectives to generate convective flow through the photothermal effect

SUBMITTER: Sun M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10637755 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature