RESUMO
We report an experimental study on ion-exchange-based modular microswimmers in low-salt water. Cationic ion-exchange particles and passive cargo particles assemble into self-propelling complexes, showing self-propulsion at speeds of several micrometers per second over extended distances and times. We quantify the assembly and speed of the complexes for different combinations of ion-exchange particles and cargo particles, substrate types, salt types and concentrations, and cell geometries. Irrespective of the experimental boundary conditions, we observe a regular development of the assembly shape with increasing number of cargo. Moreover, the swimming speed increases stepwise upon increasing the number of cargo and then saturates at a maximum speed, indicating the active role of cargo in modular swimming. We propose a geometric model of self-assembly to describe the experimental observations in a qualitative way. Our study also provides some constraints for future theoretical modeling and simulation.
RESUMO
We assemble charged colloidal spheres at deliberately chosen locations on a charged unstructured glass substrate utilizing ion exchange based electro-osmotic micro-pumps. Using microscopy, a simple scaling theory and Brownian dynamics computer simulations, we systematically explore the control parameters of crystal assembly and the mechanisms through which they depend on the experimental boundary conditions. We demonstrate that crystal quality depends crucially on the assembly distance of the colloids. This is understood as resulting from the competition between inward transport by the electro-osmotic pump flow and the electro-phoretic outward motion of the colloids. Optimized conditions include substrates of low and colloids of large electro-kinetic mobility. Then a sorting of colloids by size is observed in binary mixtures with larger particles assembling closer to the ion exchanger beads. Moreover, mono-sized colloids form defect free single domain crystals which grow outside a colloid-free void with facetted inner crystal boundaries centered on the ion exchange particle. This works remarkably well, even with irregularly formed ion exchange resin splinters.
RESUMO
Investigations of swimming at low Reynolds numbers (Re < 10(-4)) so far have focused on individual or collectively moving autonomous microswimmers consisting of a single active building unit. Here we show that linear propulsion can also be reproducibly generated in a self-assembled dynamic complex formed from a granular, HCl-releasing particle settled on a charged quartz wall and a swarm of micrometer-sized negatively charged colloids. In isolation, none of the constituents shows motion beyond diffusion. When brought together, they self-assemble into a complex capable of directed swimming. It is stabilized by toroidal solvent flow centered about the granular particle. Propulsion is then launched by an asymmetric distribution of the colloids. Motion is self-stabilizing and continues for up to 25 min with velocities of 1-3 µm/s. Although the details of the mechanisms involved pose a formidable experimental and theoretical challenge, our observations offer a conceptually new, well-reproduced, versatile approach to swimming and transport at low Reynolds numbers.
