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Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

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Published on: November 26, 2019

Nano/Micromotors in Active Matter.

Chenglin Lv¹, Yuguang Yang^1,2, Bo Li¹

¹Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.

|February 25, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Biological nano/micromotors (NMMs) harness active matter for self-sustained motion and complex dynamics. This review explores experimental and theoretical advances in biological NMMs and their applications.

Keywords:

active matter bacterium cell cytoskeleton nano/micromotor

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Last Updated: Oct 2, 2025

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Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

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Published on: January 13, 2023

Area of Science:

Active Matter Physics
Biophysics
Nanotechnology

Background:

Nano/micromotors (NMMs) are engineered microscale machines converting energy into motion.
Active matter, including biological components like bacteria and cells, is increasingly used to construct NMMs.
The inherent out-of-equilibrium nature of active matter leads to complex dynamics and emergent patterns in NMM systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent experimental and theoretical advancements in biological NMMs.
To highlight the unique dynamical features observed in collective biological NMMs.
To discuss potential applications arising from these intriguing systems.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental studies on biological NMMs.
Analysis of theoretical models describing NMM behavior.
Focus on collective dynamics and external stimuli control.

Main Results:

Biological components offer unique capabilities for NMM construction and function.
Collective behavior of biological NMMs exhibits rich and controllable dynamics.
External stimuli (light, magnetic fields, chemical gradients) can steer NMM movements.

Conclusions:

Biological NMMs represent a rapidly advancing field with significant potential.
Understanding collective dynamics is key to unlocking novel applications.
Further research promises new paradigms in active matter utilization.