Controllable and Continuous Hollow Fiber Swimmers Based on the Marangoni Effect

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Fluid Dynamics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• The Marangoni effect, driven by surface tension gradients, enables rapid movement for microscale devices.
• Applications include microrobots, microreactors, and smart drug delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate an aligned hollow fiber swimmer capable of self-propelled motion on a water surface.
• To investigate controllable motion modes and potential energy conversion applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an aligned hollow fiber microstructure with an optimized geometrical shape.
• Monitoring movement using infrared imaging and observing fluid migration.
• Inducing controllable motion via magnetic fields and concentration gradients.

Main Results:

• Achieved continuous movement for over 600 seconds.
• Reached a maximum angular velocity of 22 rad·s⁻¹.
• Demonstrated controllable motion modes and solar energy conversion.

Conclusions:

• The designed hollow fiber swimmer effectively utilizes the Marangoni effect for sustained, self-propelled motion.
• The swimmer offers potential for controlled cargo transportation and efficient energy conversion systems.