Remotely powered propulsion of helical nanobelts
Résumé
Nanorobots capable of self-propulsion in low
Reynolds number fluids would have a big technological
impact in many fields. Few known mechanisms are able to
propel such devices. Here we demonstrate that helical
nanobelts can swim in liquid when actuated by an electric
field generated by electro-osmotic force. Moreover, we show
these devices achieve speeds at or slightly above those
demonstrated by natural bacteria. The helical nanobelts were
designed and fabricated with a head and tail to mimic natural
micro-organisms such as bacteria and their flagellae. The
electro-osmotic propulsion of helical nanobelts might be used
as biomedical carriers, wireless manipulators, and as local
probes for rheological measurements.
Domaines
Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]Origine | Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s) |
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