Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
11:13
Creating Sub-50 Nm Nanofluidic Junctions in PDMS Microfluidic Chip via Self-Assembly Process of Colloidal Particles
Published on: March 13, 2016
11.2K
Light-Controlled Swarming and Assembly of Colloidal Particles
Jianhua Zhang1, Jingjing Guo2, Fangzhi Mou3
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China. zhangjianhua4987@whut.edu.cn.
Micromachines
|November 6, 2018
Summary
Light can control colloidal particles (CPs) to form swarms and assemblies, mimicking natural systems for complex tasks. These light-controlled CPs offer precise remote control for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Colloidal science
- Soft matter physics
- Materials science
Background:
- Natural swarms and assemblies exhibit complex collective behaviors.
- Colloidal particles (CPs) can be engineered to respond to light, forming dynamic structures.
- Light offers precise, remote control over particle organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural characteristics of light-controlled colloidal swarms and assemblies.
- To summarize recent advances in light-induced interactions driving CP assembly.
- To explore potential applications and future prospects of these systems.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of light-responsive interactions between CPs.
- Categorization of assembly mechanisms based on optical forces, photochemistry, photothermal effects, and photoisomerization.
- Review of existing literature on light-controlled CP swarming and assembly.
Main Results:
- Light-controlled swarming and assembly of CPs are achieved by designing light-responsive interactions.
- Key interaction mechanisms include optical forces, photochemical reactions, photothermal effects, and photoisomerizations.
- These light-driven assemblies demonstrate collective functions with high precision.
Conclusions:
- Light-controlled colloidal swarms and assemblies offer versatile platforms for advanced functionalities.
- Innovations in control strategies promise easy operation, low cost, and broad applicability.
- Potential applications include programmable materials, reconfigurable robots, and micro/nanoengineering tasks.
Related Concept Videos
03:22Colloids
21.1K
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...
21.1K
01:16Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
6.8K
In precipitation gravimetry, the precipitating agent should react specifically or selectively with the analyte. While a specific reagent reacts with the analyte alone, a selective reagent can react with a limited number of chemical species.
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
6.8K
01:17Colloids and Suspensions
3.4K
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles visible to the naked eye or seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. The suspended particles in a suspension settle out after some time of mixing. The separation of particles from a suspension is...
3.4K
01:09Colloidal precipitates
6.5K
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
6.5K
02:10The Nucleosome Core Particle
14.5K
Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
14.5K
02:41Protein Complex Assembly
16.8K
Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
16.8K