Collaboration and competition between active sheets for self-propelled particles.

ABSTRACT: Biological species routinely collaborate for their mutual benefit or compete for available resources, thereby displaying dynamic behavior that is challenging to replicate in synthetic systems. Here we use computational modeling to design microscopic, chemically active sheets and self-propelled particles encompassing the appropriate synergistic interactions to exhibit bioinspired feeding, fleeing, and fighting. This design couples two different mechanisms for chemically generating motion in fluid-filled microchambers: solutal buoyancy and diffusiophoresis. Catalyst-coated sheets, which resemble crabs with four distinct claws, convert reactants in solution into products and thereby create local variations in the density and chemical composition of the fluid. Via the solutal buoyancy mechanis

SUBMITTER: Laskar A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6511051 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature