"Harnessing synthetic cilia to regulate motion of microparticles" by Hassan Masoud

Article

Harnessing synthetic cilia to regulate motion of microparticles

Soft Matter (2011)

Hassan Masoud, Georgia Institute of Technology
Alexander Alexeev, Georgia Institute of Technology

Link

Abstract
Functional synthetic cilia lining solid surfaces could potentially yield a unique approach for
regulating transport processes at interfaces. We use computer simulations to probe how nonmotile
and actuated cilia can be harnessed to control the motion of microscopic particles
suspended in a Newtonian fluid. We show that biomimetic cilia can be arranged to create
hydrodynamic currents that can either direct particles towards the ciliated surface or expel
them away, thereby modifying the effective interactions between solid surfaces and
particulates. In addition to revealing new approaches for regulating the microscale particle
transport, our findings point to a new strategy for creating functional materials that employ
active and responsive synthetic cilia.

Disciplines

Engineering

Publication Date

July 13, 2011

DOI

10.1039/C1SM05423F

Publisher Statement

Citation Information

Hassan Masoud and Alexander Alexeev. "Harnessing synthetic cilia to regulate motion of microparticles" Soft Matter Vol. 7 Iss. 19 (2011) p. 8702 - 8708 ISSN: 1744-6848
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/hassan-masoud/15/