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Shape-Dependent Motion of Structured Photoactive Microswimmers
Dylan Nicholls1, Andrew DeVerse1, Ra'Shae Esplin1
1Department of Physics and Astronomy , Northern Arizona University , S San Francisco Street , Flagstaff , Arizona 86011 , United States.
Abstract:
We investigate the dynamics of structured photoactive microswimmers and show that morphology sensitively determines the swimming behavior. Particular to this study, a major portion of the light-activated particles' underlying structure is built from a photocatalytic material, made possible by dynamic physical vapor deposition (DPVD). We find that swimmers of this type exhibit unique shape-dependent autonomous swimming that is distinct from what is seen in systems with similar structural morphology but not fabricated directly from the catalyst. Notably, the direction of motion is a function of these parameters. Because the swimming behavior is strongly correlated with particle shape and material composition, DPVD allows for engineering small-scale propulsion by adjusting the fabrication parameters to match the desired performance.
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