Low Dimensional Nanoswimmers

We are developing low-dimensional nanoswimmers that can be fabricated using batch-fabrication processes. The primary goal of this research includes design, fabrication, characterization of their motions, and applications. Within the frame of this research, swarm behavior and control will be explored as well.

We have recently shown that nickel nanowires (Ni NWs) rotated by a rotating magnetic field are capable of propelling near solid boundaries with arbitrary orientations. At low Reynolds numbers, the existence of walls near the NWs increases the fluidic drag due to the "wall effect". The propulsion force of the rotating Ni NWs results from the imbalance of fluidic drag applied on each end of the Ni NW (ref. [1]). Furthermore, the rod-shaped nanoswimmers are capable of performing cargo transport with or without a physical contact. Fluidic trapping and manipulation using mobile microvortices generated by rotating slender bodies was demonstrated in ref. [2]. The fluidic trapping technique can serve as an alternative (bio-)manipulation approach, in particular, when a high-intensity laser beam or electric fields need to be avoided.