Reconfigurable magnetic microrobot swarm: Multimode transformation, locomotion, and manipulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (28) ◽  
pp. eaav8006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Xie ◽  
Mengmeng Sun ◽  
Xinjian Fan ◽  
Zhihua Lin ◽  
Weinan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Particle Simulation ◽  
Coherent Motion ◽  
Collective Modes ◽  
Colloidal System ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Collective Behaviors ◽  
Narrow Channels ◽  
Discrete Particle Simulation

Swimming microrobots that are energized by external magnetic fields exhibit a variety of intriguing collective behaviors, ranging from dynamic self-organization to coherent motion; however, achieving multiple, desired collective modes within one colloidal system to emulate high environmental adaptability and enhanced tasking capabilities of natural swarms is challenging. Here, we present a strategy that uses alternating magnetic fields to program hematite colloidal particles into liquid, chain, vortex, and ribbon-like microrobotic swarms and enables fast and reversible transformations between them. The chain is characterized by passing through confined narrow channels, and the herring school–like ribbon procession is capable of large-area synchronized manipulation, whereas the colony-like vortex can aggregate at a high density toward coordinated handling of heavy loads. Using the developed discrete particle simulation methods, we investigated generation mechanisms of these four swarms, as well as the “tank-treading” motion of the chain and vortex merging. In addition, the swarms can be programmed to steer in any direction with excellent maneuverability, and the vortex’s chirality can be rapidly switched with high pattern stability. This reconfigurable microrobot swarm can provide versatile collective modes to address environmental variations or multitasking requirements; it has potential to investigate fundamentals in living systems and to serve as a functional bio-microrobot system for biomedicine.

scholarly journals Electric double layer and electrokinetic potential of pectic macromolecules in sugar beet

2008 ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Tatjana Kuljanin ◽  
Ljubinko Levic ◽  
Nevena Misljenovic ◽  
Gordana Koprivica
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Double Layer ◽  
Electric Double Layer ◽  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Colloidal Particle ◽  
Electrokinetic Potential ◽  
Shear Plane ◽  
Colloidal System ◽  
Cu Ions ◽  
Measurable Property

Electrokinetic potential is an important property of colloidal particles and, regarding the fact that it is a well defined and easily measurable property, it is considered to be a permanent characteristic of a particular colloidal system. In fact, it is a measure of electrokinetic charge that surrounds the colloidal particle in a solution and is in direct proportion with the mobility of particles in an electric field. Gouy-Chapman-Stern-Graham's model of electric double layer was adopted and it was proven experimentally that the addition of Cu++ ions to sugar beet pectin caused a reduction in the negative electrokinetic potential proportional to the increase of Cu++ concentration. Higher Cu++ concentrations increased the proportion of cation specific adsorption (Cu++ and H+) with regard to electrostatic Coulombic forces. Consequently, there is a shift in the shear plane between the fixed and diffuse layers directed towards the diffuse layer, i.e. towards its compression and decrease in the electrokinetic potential or even charge inversion of pectin macromolecules.

Discrete particle simulation of gas–solid flow in a blast furnace

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1760-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.Y. Zhou ◽  
H.P. Zhu ◽  
A.B. Yu ◽  
B. Wright ◽  
P. Zulli
Keyword(s):  
Blast Furnace ◽  
Particle Simulation ◽  
Solid Flow ◽  
Discrete Particle ◽  
Discrete Particle Simulation

scholarly journals Mixed-order phase transition in a colloidal crystal

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (49) ◽  
pp. 12906-12909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricard Alert ◽  
Pietro Tierno ◽  
Jaume Casademunt
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Colloidal Crystal ◽  
Equilibrium Phase ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Critical Dimension ◽  
Colloidal System ◽  
Test Bed ◽  
Mixed Order

Mixed-order phase transitions display a discontinuity in the order parameter like first-order transitions yet feature critical behavior like second-order transitions. Such transitions have been predicted for a broad range of equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems, but their experimental observation has remained elusive. Here, we analytically predict and experimentally realize a mixed-order equilibrium phase transition. Specifically, a discontinuous solid–solid transition in a 2D crystal of paramagnetic colloidal particles is induced by a magnetic field H. At the transition field Hs, the energy landscape of the system becomes completely flat, which causes diverging fluctuations and correlation length ξ∝|H2−Hs2|−1/2. Mean-field critical exponents are predicted, since the upper critical dimension of the transition is du=2. Our colloidal system provides an experimental test bed to probe the unconventional properties of mixed-order phase transitions.

scholarly journals Aggregation kinetics of irreversible patches coupled with reversible isotropic interaction leading to chains, bundles and globules

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 1085-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isha Malhotra ◽  
Sujin B. Babu
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Interaction Strength ◽  
Colloidal System ◽  
Angle Distribution ◽  
Volume Fractions ◽  
Low Volume ◽  
A Chain

Abstract In the present study we are performing simulation of simple model of two patch colloidal particles undergoing irreversible diffusion limited cluster aggregation using patchy Brownian cluster dynamics. In addition to the irreversible aggregation of patches, the spheres are coupled with isotropic reversible aggregation through the Kern–Frenkel potential. Due to the presence of anisotropic and isotropic potential we have also defined three different kinds of clusters formed due to anisotropic potential and isotropic potential only as well as both the potentials together. We have investigated the effect of patch size on self-assembly under different solvent qualities for various volume fractions. We will show that at low volume fractions during aggregation process, we end up in a chain conformation for smaller patch size while in a globular conformation for bigger patch size. We also observed a chain to bundle transformation depending on the attractive interaction strength between the chains or in other words depending on the quality of the solvent. We will also show that bundling process is very similar to nucleation and growth phenomena observed in colloidal system with short range attraction. We have also studied the bond angle distribution for this system, where for small patches only two angles are more probable indicating chain formation, while for bundling at very low volume fraction a tail is developed in the distribution. While for the case of higher patch angle this distribution is broad compared to the case of low patch angles showing we have a more globular conformation. We are also proposing a model for the formation of bundles which are similar to amyloid fibers using two patch colloidal particles.

Influence of Permanent Magnets Installation Approach on the Torque of а Magneto-Rheological Disk Brake

2021 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 184-193
Author(s):  
Ilya Aleksandrovich Frolov ◽  
Andrei Aleksandrovich Vorotnikov ◽  
Semyon Viktorovich Bushuev ◽  
Elena Alekseevna Melnichenko ◽  
Yuri Viktorovich Poduraev
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetic Materials ◽  
Permanent Magnets ◽  
Magnetorheological Fluid ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Disc Brake ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Braking Torque ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Magnetorheological braking devices function due to the organization of domain structures between liquid and solid magnetic materials under the action of an electromagnetic or magnetic field. The disc is most widely used as a rotating braking element that made of a solid magnetic material due to the large area of contact with a magnetorheological fluid. Many factors affect the braking characteristics of the magnetorheological disc brake. Specifically, the value of the magnetic field and how the field is distributed across the work element is significantly affected at the braking torque. There are different ways to generate a magnetic field. In this study, the method of installation of permanent magnets into the construction, allowing to increase the braking torque of the magnetorheological disc brake is proposed. Simulation modelling showing the distribution of the magnetic field across the disk depending on the installation of permanent magnets with different pole orientations were carried out. The model takes into account the possibility of increasing the gap between solid magnetic materials of the structure, inside them which the magnetorheological fluid is placed. Comparative estimation of the distribution of the magnetic fields depending on the chosen method of installation of permanent magnets with different orientations of their poles is carried out. Further research is planned to focus on a comparative assessment of the distribution of magnetic fields depending on the selected material of the braking chamber.

scholarly journals Bidirectional rotation control of a carbon fiber in nematic liquid crystal using AC electric field

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Yong Lee ◽  
Jeong-Seon Yu ◽  
Jong-Hyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Free Energy ◽  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Colloidal System ◽  
Wide Angle ◽  
Local Minima ◽  
Free Energies ◽  
Rotation Direction ◽  
Ac Electric Field

Abstract Colloidal particles dispersed in nematic liquid crystals are aligned along the orientation that minimizes the elastic free energy. Through applying an electric field to a nematic colloidal system, the orientation of the director can change. Consequently, colloidal particles realign to minimize the total free energy, which is the sum of the elastic and electric free energies. Herein, we demonstrate that if the preferred rotation directions given by the electric and elastic free energies are different during realignment, the rotation direction of the particle can be controlled by how we apply the electric field. When the strength of the electric field gradually increases, the particles rotate in the same direction as the rotation of the director. However, when a sufficiently high electric field is suddenly applied, the particles rotate in the opposite direction. In this study, we analyzed the effect of free energy on the bidirectional rotation behavior of the particles using a theoretical model. This study provides an effective approach to control the rotational behavior of colloidal particles over a wide-angle range between two orientational local minima.

scholarly journals Anomalous Long-Range Attraction in Colloidal Binary Mixtures at Fluid–Fluid Interfaces

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Zonglin Yi ◽  
To Ngai
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Experimental Result ◽  
Colloidal System ◽  
Fluid Interfaces ◽  
Water Interface ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Colloidal Systems ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
Theoretical Side

The properties of binary colloidal systems have gained the interest of researchers because they have much richer structures than their one-component counterpart. Continuing efforts are being made on the theoretical side on binary colloidal systems, while many issues remained unsolved for the lack of solid experimental supports, especially for study in the field of two-dimensional (2D) binary colloids system. Oil–water interfaces can serve as a good stringent 2D confinement for colloidal particles and can avoid anomalous problems caused by the quasi-two-dimensional environment in previous experimental reports. In this work, we conduct experimental research of binary colloids system in an oil–water interface to revisit theoretical predication. We measure an ultra-long-range attraction and discuss the possible mechanism of this attraction by comparing the experimental result with existing model and theory. This study could contribute more understanding of the binary colloidal system in both experimental aspects and theoretical aspects.

Taylor dispersion of colloidal particles in narrow channels

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (17-18) ◽  
pp. 2538-2545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimaan Sané ◽  
Johan T. Padding ◽  
Ard A. Louis
Keyword(s):  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Taylor Dispersion ◽  
Narrow Channels
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