Abstract
Magnetic achiral planar microswimmers can be massively fabricated at low cost and are envisioned to be useful for in vivo biomedical applications. To understand locomotion in representative in vivo environments, we investigated the swimming performance of achiral planar microswimmers in methylcellulose solutions. We observed that these microswimmers displayed very similar swimming characteristics in methylcellulose solutions as in water. Furthermore, this study indicated that the range of precession angles increased as the concentration of MC solution increased. Last, it was demonstrated that achiral planar microswimmers with similar precession angles exhibited nearly the same dimensionless speeds in different concentrations of the methylcellulose solutions. Upon understanding swimmer kinematics, more effective control over the achiral planar microswimmers can be achieved to perform multiple biomedical tasks in in vivo environments.
Highlights
Magnetic achiral planar microswimmers can be massively fabricated at low cost and are envisioned to be useful for in vivo biomedical applications
The Methyl cellulose (MC) solutions are not a replacement for biological fluids which these swimmers might encounter in vivo, they can provide tunable parameters to study the swimming performance of achiral microswimmers in fibrous environments, which can give some insights into the complex biological fluids they might encounter in vivo
The preparation and characterization of the MC solutions are in the supplementary material
Summary
Magnetic achiral planar microswimmers can be massively fabricated at low cost and are envisioned to be useful for in vivo biomedical applications. It was demonstrated that achiral planar microswimmers with similar precession angles exhibited nearly the same dimensionless speeds in different concentrations of the methylcellulose solutions. Schamel et al placed spiral nanoswimmers in hyaluronic acid and revealed that their swimming speed in hyaluronic acid was faster than that in a Newtonian fluid[9] These representative studies concluded that non-Newtonian fluids do not hinder movement, but enhances the propulsion efficiency of spiral micro/ nanoswimmers; demonstrating their potential for in vivo locomotion. Achiral planar microswimmers are a promising candidate in the field of micro/nanorobotics To demonstrate their feasibility for in vivo applications, there is an urgency to develop an understanding of the swimming capability of achiral planar microswimmers in non-Newtonian fluids. This is demonstrative of how controlling the precession angle of the microswimmers can lead to similar swimming performance of the swimmers in different fluids; demonstrates effective motion control
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
