Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

5.8K
The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
5.8K
Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

2.7K
2.7K
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

3.4K
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
3.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Interacting Parallel Fluidic Hysterons.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026
Same author

High-Resolution Mapping of Discharge Product in Li─O<sub>2</sub> Batteries.

Small methods·2026
Same author

Reconstructing the electrochemistry of lithium-ion batteries through <i>operando</i> diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

Energy & environmental science·2026
Same author

3D Engineered Dual-Redox Zinc-Iodine Microbatteries for Intrinsically Safe on-Chip Energy Storage.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026
Same author

Enhancing power density and cycle life of NMC811 battery cathodes <i>via</i> combined dense calendering and laser patterning.

Energy & environmental science·2026
Same author

Reprogrammable sequencing for physically intelligent underactuated robots.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same journal

Microfluidic rare cell analysis beyond counting: workflow design from enrichment to multi-omics.

Lab on a chip·2026
Same journal

A sperm racetrack to separate sperm by swim speed.

Lab on a chip·2026
Same journal

Controlled encapsulation and droplet size prediction in two-step microfluidic double emulsions.

Lab on a chip·2026
Same journal

A particulate blood-mimicking fluid with physiological biconcave geometry for microscale hemorheology.

Lab on a chip·2026
Same journal

Multicellular sensor arrays fabricated by capillary stamping for pattern-based odor discrimination.

Lab on a chip·2026
Same journal

A real-time microfluidic surveillance system for multiplex detection of heavy metal contamination in wastewater.

Lab on a chip·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways
09:39

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways

Published on: May 9, 2016

8.4K

Pneumatically-actuated artificial cilia array for biomimetic fluid propulsion.

Benjamin Gorissen1, Michaël de Volder2, Dominiek Reynaerts1

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 300B, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. michael.devolder@mech.kulueven.be.

Lab on a Chip
|October 7, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed novel pneumatically-actuated artificial cilia arrays. These micro-scale propulsion systems achieve fluid speeds up to 19 mm/s and allow flow direction control by adjusting frequency or duty cycle.

More Related Videos

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2
09:33

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2

Published on: May 9, 2017

9.2K
Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1
11:22

Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1

Published on: July 11, 2017

8.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2026

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways
09:39

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways

Published on: May 9, 2016

8.4K
Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2
09:33

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2

Published on: May 9, 2017

9.2K
Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1
11:22

Cardiac Muscle-cell Based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - PART 1

Published on: July 11, 2017

8.6K

Area of Science:

  • Microfluidics
  • Biomimetics
  • Robotics

Background:

  • Cilia are natural, efficient micro-propulsion systems found in microorganisms.
  • Previous artificial cilia designs faced fabrication challenges and limited motion complexity.
  • Mimicking natural cilia requires advanced micro-actuation and control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel design for pneumatically-actuated artificial cilia arrays.
  • To investigate the influence of actuation parameters on fluid dynamics.
  • To validate existing mathematical models with experimental data.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of artificial cilia arrays using flexible silicone rubber actuators (1 mm diameter, 8 mm length).
  • Independent pneumatic actuation of six cilia per array.
  • Experimental study of driving frequency, phase difference, and duty cycle effects on net flow in a closed-loop channel.
  • Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements for flow analysis.

Main Results:

  • Achieved net fluid speeds of up to 19 mm/s.
  • Demonstrated flow direction inversion by altering driving frequency or duty cycle without changing cilia bending direction.
  • Validated mathematical models of cilia arrays using prototype measurements.

Conclusions:

  • Pneumatically-actuated artificial cilia offer a promising approach to micro-propulsion.
  • Control over fluid flow direction is achievable through simple adjustments of actuation parameters.
  • This work provides experimental validation for theoretical models of cilia-driven flows.