Motile Micropump Based on Synthetic Micromotors for Dynamic Micropatterning

Micropump systems show great potential on the micropatterning process as a result of remarkable performance and functionality. However, existing micropumps cannot be employed as direct writing tools to perform the complex micropatterning process because of their lacking motility and controllability. Here, we propose a motile micropump system based on the combination of a water-driven ZnO/Ni/polystyrene Janus micromotor with a traditional immobilized micropump. This novel motile micropump system can translate the trajectory of Janus micromotors into predefined micropatterns by pumping away passive silica particles around the micromotor under the effect of diffusiophoresis. The resolution and efficiency of the micropatterning process can be regulated by controlling the diameters of Janus micromotors. Diverse surface micropatterns can be fabricated though remote magnetic control of the motile micropump system. Such ability to transform the versatile motile micropump into predetermined surface micropatterns creates new opportunities for mask-free micropatterning.