Biomimetic chemotactic motion of self-assembling doublet microrobots

Tools

Xiao, Zuyao and Voigtmann, Maximilian and Simmchen, Juliane (2025) Biomimetic chemotactic motion of self-assembling doublet microrobots. Advanced Intelligent Systems. (https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202400839)

[thumbnail of Xiao-etal-AIS-2025-Biomimetic-chemotactic-motion-of-self-assembling]
Preview
 Text. Filename: Xiao-etal-AIS-2025-Biomimetic-chemotactic-motion-of-self-assembling.pdf
Final Published Version
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 logo
Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

Bio-hybrid robotics at the microscale promises to advance intelligent systems in biomedical devices, environmental monitoring, and soft robotics by emulating complex behaviors found in living entities, such as chemotaxis. Here, we report the shape-dependent chemotaxis of doublet microswimmers with various morphologies that exhibit autonomous movement in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) gradients without the need for complex material preparation. These microswimmers consist of a double-sphere structure composed of one colloid with a catalytic silver (Ag) surface and a second one with passive silica surface. Catalytic decomposition of H2O2 on the Ag surface enables propulsion with the Ag side forward. In the presence of a H2O2 gradient, differential reaction rates across the Ag particle induce a torque that continuously reorients the microswimmers toward higher H2O2 concentrations, resulting in positive chemotaxis. Our findings highlight the crucial role of particle morphology in chemotactic behavior and provide insights for designing artificial microswimmers with enhanced navigation capabilities in chemical gradients.

ORCID iDs

Xiao, Zuyao, Voigtmann, Maximilian and Simmchen, Juliane ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9073-9770;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:92308
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    8 March 2025
    Published
    8 March 2025
    Published Online
    7 January 2025
    Accepted
    Subjects:Science > Chemistry
    Department:Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:11 Mar 2025 12:50
    Last modified:12 Mar 2025 14:30
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/92308
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)