Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles01:43

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

4.5K
In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
4.5K
Planar Rigid-Body Motion01:22

Planar Rigid-Body Motion

450
Understanding the movement of a rigid body in planar motion involves recognizing that every particle within this body is traversing a path that maintains a consistent distance from a specific plane. This concept is fundamental in the study of physics and mechanical engineering, and it allows us to comprehend better how objects move in space.
Planar motion is typically divided into three distinct categories. The first is rectilinear translation, demonstrated by a subway train that moves along...
450
Relative Motion Analysis using Rotating Axes-Problem Solving01:29

Relative Motion Analysis using Rotating Axes-Problem Solving

406
Consider a crane whose telescopic boom rotates with an angular velocity of 0.04 rad/s and angular acceleration of 0.02 rad/s2. Along with the rotation, the boom also extends linearly with a uniform speed of 5 m/s. The extension of the boom is measured at point D, which is measured with respect to the fixed point C on the other end of the boom. For the given instant, the distance between points C and D is 60 meters.
Here, in order to determine the magnitude of velocity and acceleration for point...
406
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

2.8K
Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
2.8K
Relative Motion Analysis using Rotating Axes01:25

Relative Motion Analysis using Rotating Axes

468
Consider a component AB undergoing a linear motion. Along with a linear motion, point B also rotates around point A. To comprehend this complex movement, position vectors for both points A and B are established using a stationary reference frame.
However, to express the relative position of point B relative to point A, an additional frame of reference, denoted as x'y', is necessary. This additional frame not only translates but also rotates relative to the fixed frame, making it...
468
One-Degree-of-Freedom System01:24

One-Degree-of-Freedom System

490
In mechanical engineering, one-degree-of-freedom systems form the basis of a wide range of electrical and mechanical components. Using these models, engineers can predict the behavior of various parts in a larger system, which gives them insight into how different forces interact with each other.
A one-degree-of-freedom system is defined by an independent variable that determines its state and behavior. One example of a one-degree-of-freedom system is a simple harmonic oscillator, such as a...
490

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Stabilizing in-transition phases of superlattices through shape control of silver nanocrystals.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Exploring entropy landscapes using hard particle Monte Carlo metadynamics.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Intermetallic nanoassemblies potentiate systemic STING activation.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Quantifying local point-group-symmetry order in complex particle systems.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026
Same author

Engineering low-symmetry colloidal crystals with optical anisotropies.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Using particle shape to control defects in colloidal crystals on spherical interfaces.

Soft matter·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
08:04

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

Published on: November 26, 2019

7.2K

Complex motion of steerable vesicular robots filled with active colloidal rods.

Sophie Y Lee1, Philipp W A Schönhöfer2, Sharon C Glotzer3,4,5

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.

Scientific Reports
|December 20, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a novel method to control active particle swarms using curved membranes. This technique enables self-propelled vesicles to navigate complex environments, offering new possibilities for particle transport.

More Related Videos

Preparation and 3D Tracking of Catalytic Swimming Devices
06:50

Preparation and 3D Tracking of Catalytic Swimming Devices

Published on: July 1, 2016

7.7K
Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions
06:08

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

8.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
08:04

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

Published on: November 26, 2019

7.2K
Preparation and 3D Tracking of Catalytic Swimming Devices
06:50

Preparation and 3D Tracking of Catalytic Swimming Devices

Published on: July 1, 2016

7.7K
Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions
06:08

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

8.3K

Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Collective motion of active particles is well-studied, but autonomous navigation remains a challenge.
  • Existing methods often rely on external guidance, limiting applications in complex environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a strategy for controlling the trajectory of active particle swarms.
  • To investigate the use of non-uniformly curved membranes for self-propulsion and directed motion.
  • To explore the potential of active superstructures for navigation and particle transport.

Main Methods:

  • Confining two-dimensional swarms of active rod-like particles within rigid bounding membranes (vesicles) with non-uniform curvature.
  • Introducing discontinuous features (kinked tips) to the membrane boundary to act as steering components.
  • Systematically studying the influence of geometrical and material properties (rod aspect ratio, Péclet number, kink angle, membrane flexibility) on particle behavior and superstructure dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Active particles spontaneously cluster at the membrane wall, collectively propelling the vesicle.
  • Kinked confinement induces diverse dynamical behaviors, including linear and circular motion, both forwards and backwards relative to the kink.
  • Vesicles exhibit switchable and reversible locomotion controlled by tuning confinement parameters.

Conclusions:

  • The developed method provides a mechanism for autonomous navigation of active matter through complex environments.
  • The engineered active superstructures demonstrate potential for targeted particle transportation.
  • Tuning confinement properties allows for versatile control over vesicle locomotion, opening avenues for micro-robotics and active matter applications.