English

Realization of the Najafi-Golestanian microswimmer

Soft Condensed Matter 2016-08-17 v2 Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

A paradigmatic microswimmer is the three-linked-spheres model, which follows a minimalist approach for propulsion by shape shifting. As such, it has been the subject of numerous analytical and numerical studies. In this Rapid Communication, an experimental three-linked-spheres swimmer is created by self-assembling ferromagnetic particles at an air-water interface. It is powered by a uniform oscillating magnetic field. A model, using two harmonic oscillators, reproduces the experimental findings. Because the model remains general, the same approach could be used to design a variety of efficient microswimmers.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1606.08680,
  title  = {Realization of the Najafi-Golestanian microswimmer},
  author = {Galien Grosjean and Maxime Hubert and Guillaume Lagubeau and Nicolas Vandewalle},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.08680},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

5 pages, 5 figures