Light-driven locomotion of a centimeter-sized object at the air-water interface: effect of fluid resistance.

ABSTRACT: A centimeter-sized flat-headed push pin with photothermal properties can be moved on a water surface by a simple near-infrared laser. Using light as an external stimulus allows for the remote control of the timing, direction and velocity of its locomotion. It has been clarified that the vertical orientation of the pin at the air-water interface affects the friction of locomotion, and therefore velocity and acceleration. The pin placed on a water surface with a pin point upward (a point protruding into air phase) moved an average distance of 5.3 ± 2.9 cm following one pulse of laser irradiation, and that placed with a pin point downward (a point protruding into water phase) moved 2.0 ± 1.4 cm. The velocity and acceleration were larger when the pin was placed on the water surface with a pin

SUBMITTER: Kawashima H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9061706 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature