Programmable topotaxis of magnetic rollers in time-varying fields.

Soft Matter

Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Published: February 2021

AI Article Synopsis

  • Researchers developed a method using periodic magnetic fields to control the movement of ferromagnetic spheres on solid surfaces, allowing them to migrate uphill or downhill along gradients.
  • The study employs a dynamic model that analyzes magnetic forces and fluid dynamics at low Reynolds numbers, combining analytical and numerical approaches to optimize particle movement.
  • Experiments confirmed the ability of these magnetic fields to facilitate coordinated movement of multiple particles in different directions, which has implications for advancing design in colloidal robotics.

Article Abstract

We describe how spatially uniform, time-periodic magnetic fields can be designed to power and direct the migration of ferromagnetic spheres up (or down) local gradients in the topography of a solid substrate. Our results are based on a dynamical model that considers the time-varying magnetic torques on the particle and its motion through the fluid at low Reynolds number. We use both analytical theory and numerical simulation to design magnetic fields that maximize the migration velocity up (or down) an inclined plane. We show how "topotaxis" of spherical particles relies on differences in the hydrodynamic resistance to rotation about axes parallel and perpendicular to the plane. Importantly, the designed fields can drive multiple independent particles to move simultaneously in different directions as determined by gradients in their respective environments. Experiments on ferromagnetic spheres provide evidence for topotactic motions up inclined substrates. The ability to program the autonomous navigation of driven particles within anisotropic environments is relevant to the design of colloidal robots.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d0sm01443eDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

magnetic fields
8
ferromagnetic spheres
8
programmable topotaxis
4
magnetic
4
topotaxis magnetic
4
magnetic rollers
4
rollers time-varying
4
fields
4
time-varying fields
4
fields describe
4

Similar Publications

Core-Shell Magnetic Particles: Tailored Synthesis and Applications.

Chem Rev

December 2024

Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.

Core-shell magnetic particles consisting of magnetic core and functional shells have aroused widespread attention in multidisciplinary fields spanning chemistry, materials science, physics, biomedicine, and bioengineering due to their distinctive magnetic properties, tunable interface features, and elaborately designed compositions. In recent decades, various surface engineering strategies have been developed to endow them desired properties (e.g.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To assess the association of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) in recently menopausal women with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume later in life and determine whether short-term menopausal hormone therapy (mHT) modifies these associations.

Methods: Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) was a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 4-year mHT trial (oral conjugated equine estrogens or transdermal 17β-estradiol). KEEPS continuation was an observational follow-up of the participants 10 years after the end of mHT.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study addresses issues in developing spatially controlled magnetic fields for particle guidance, synthesizing biocompatible and chemically stable MNPs and enhancing their specificity to pathological cells through chemical modifications, developing personalized adjustments, and highlighting the potential of tumor-on-a-chip systems, which can simulate tissue environments and assess drug efficacy and dosage in a controlled setting. The research focused on two MNP types, uncoated magnetite nanoparticles (mMNPs) and carboxymethyl dextran coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles (CD-SPIONs), and evaluated their transport properties in microfluidic systems and porous media. The original uncoated mMNPs of bimodal size distribution and the narrow size distribution of the fractions (23 nm and 106 nm by radii) were demonstrated to agglomerate in magnetically driven microfluidic flow, forming a stable stationary web consisting of magnetic fibers within 30 min.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Electrochemical Method for the Design of New Possible Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents.

Nanomaterials (Basel)

December 2024

Laboratory of Applied Electrochemistry, Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi, 19, 20133 Milan, Italy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that employs strong magnetic fields and radio frequencies to generate detailed images of the body's interior. In oncology patients, gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are frequently administered to enhance the visualization of tumors. Those contrast agents are gadolinium chelates, characterized by high stability that prevents the release of the toxic gadolinium ion into the body.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, an advanced label-free sensing method, offers significant potential for biomolecular detection and quantitative analysis in biological samples. Although broadband fingerprint enhancement compensates for limitations in detection capability and sensitivity, the complex optical path design in operation restricts its broader adoption. This paper proposes a multi-degree-of-freedom stretchable metasurface that supports magnetic dipole resonance to enhance the broadband THz fingerprint detection of trace analytes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!