Fuel-free locomotion of janus motors: Magnetically induced thermophoresis

Baraban L, Streubel R, Makarov D, Han L, Karnaushenko D, Schmidt OG, Cuniberti G (2013)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

ACS nano American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 7

Pages Range: 1360-1367

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1021/nn305726m

Abstract

We present fuel-free locomotion of magnetic spherical Janus motors driven by magnetically induced thermophoresis - a self-diffusive propulsion of an object in any liquid media due to a local temperature gradient. Within this approach an ac magnetic field is applied to induce thermophoretic motion of the objects via heating a magnetic cap of the particles, while an additional dc magnetic field is used to orient Janus motors and guide their motion on a long time scale. Full control over the motion is achieved due to specific properties of ultrathin 100-nm-thick Permalloy (Py, Fe19Ni81 alloys) magnetic films resulting in a topologically stable magnetic vortex state in the cap structure of Janus motors. Realized here magnetically induced thermophoretic locomotion does not require catalytic chemical reactions that imply toxic reagents. In this respect, we addressed and successfully solved one of the main shortcomings in the field of artificial motors, namely being fully controlled and remain biocompatible. Therefore, our approach is attractive for biotechnological in vitro assays and even in vivo operations, since the functioning of Janus motors offers low toxicity; it is not dependent on the presence of the fuel molecules in solution. Furthermore, the suggested magnetic ac excitation is superior compared to the previously proposed optically induced heating using lasers as it does not require transparent packaging. © 2012 American Chemical Society.

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Dresden DE Germany (DE) Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e.V. (IFW) / Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Baraban, L., Streubel, R., Makarov, D., Han, L., Karnaushenko, D., Schmidt, O.G., & Cuniberti, G. (2013). Fuel-free locomotion of janus motors: Magnetically induced thermophoresis. ACS nano, 7(2), 1360-1367. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nn305726m

MLA:

Baraban, Larysa, et al. "Fuel-free locomotion of janus motors: Magnetically induced thermophoresis." ACS nano 7.2 (2013): 1360-1367.

BibTeX: Download