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Topographical pathways guide chemical microswimmers.

Juliane Simmchen1, Jaideep Katuri1, William E Uspal1,2

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Chemically active Janus colloids can be reliably guided along topographical features without magnetic fields. This discovery offers new possibilities for controlling micro- and nanoscale devices.

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Area of Science:

  • Colloid science
  • Microfluidics
  • Soft matter physics

Background:

  • Controlling the directionality of active colloids is crucial for applications like microfluidic cargo carriers.
  • Current methods often rely on magnetic fields and specialized coatings for guiding spherical Janus colloids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the use of topographical features as platforms for docking and guiding chemically active spherical Janus colloids.
  • To explore an alternative to magnetic field-based guidance systems.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing step-like submicrometre topographical features (stripes, squares, circular posts).
  • Observing the docking and movement behavior of Janus colloids on these features.
  • Employing a continuum model of self-diffusiophoresis to analyze the observed phenomena.

Main Results:

  • Robust and reliable docking of Janus colloids at the edges of topographical features was demonstrated.
  • Colloids exhibited sustained movement along feature edges, with duration increasing with fuel concentration.
  • A continuum model qualitatively captured the behavior, highlighting chemical activity and hydrodynamic interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Submicrometre topographical features serve as effective docking and guiding platforms for active Janus colloids.
  • This approach offers a promising alternative to magnetic guidance systems in microfluidic applications.
  • The findings underscore the importance of chemical activity and boundary interactions in directed colloidal motion.