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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Quantitative Locomotion Study of Freely Swimming Micro-organisms Using Laser Diffraction
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Fully Steerable Symmetric Thermoplasmonic Microswimmers.

Martin Fränzl1, Santiago Muiños-Landin1,2, Viktor Holubec3,4

  • 1Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Molecular Nanophotonics Group, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstr. 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

ACS Nano
|February 8, 2021
PubMed
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This study introduces a novel symmetric thermoplasmonic microswimmer propelled by laser-induced self-thermophoresis. This design allows for precise external control of microswimmer motion, overcoming limitations of traditional asymmetric designs.

Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Microscopic self-propelling particles typically rely on asymmetric structures for directed motion.
  • This asymmetry couples orientational Brownian motion with directional movement, limiting persistent travel and leading to diffusive long-term behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate a novel, completely symmetric thermoplasmonic microswimmer.
  • To show that external laser positioning can imprint propulsion direction, decoupling it from inherent particle symmetry.
  • To achieve enhanced control and steering capabilities for microswimmer dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental characterization of microswimmer motion.
  • Computational simulations of particle dynamics.
Keywords:
Janus particlesactive particlesfeedback controlmicroswimmersself-thermophoresisthermoplasmonics

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  • Theoretical analysis of self-thermophoresis-driven propulsion.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstrated a symmetric thermoplasmonic microswimmer propelled by laser-induced self-thermophoresis.
    • Showcased precise external control over propulsion direction, rendering orientational Brownian motion irrelevant.
    • Observed enhanced steering capabilities and identified additional noise phenomena.

    Conclusions:

    • Symmetric microswimmers offer superior control and steering compared to asymmetric designs.
    • External laser control overcomes inherent limitations of microswimmer dynamics.
    • Findings suggest potential relevance for biological systems and advanced micromanipulation applications.