Cooperation in a fluid swarm of fuel-free micro-swimmers

Matan Yah Ben Zion (), Yaelin Caba, Alvin Modin and Paul M. Chaikin
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Matan Yah Ben Zion: New York University
Yaelin Caba: New York University
Alvin Modin: New York University
Paul M. Chaikin: New York University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract While motile bacteria display rich dynamics in dense colonies, the phoretic nature of artificial micro-swimmers restricts their activity when crowded. Here we introduce a new class of synthetic micro-swimmers that are driven solely by light. By coupling a light absorbing particle to a fluid droplet we produce a colloidal chimera that transforms optical power into propulsive thermo-capillary action. The swimmers’ internal drive allows them to operate for a long duration (days) and remain active when crowded, forming a high density fluid phase. We find that above a critical concentration, swimmers form a long lived crowded state that displays internal dynamics. When passive particles are introduced, the dense swimmer phase can re-arrange to spontaneously corral the passive particles. We derive a geometrical, depletion-like condition for corralling by identifying the role the passive particles play in controlling the effective concentration of the micro-swimmers.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27870-9

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