Propagating wave in a fluid by coherent motion of 2D colloids

Koki Sano, Xiang Wang, Zhifang Sun, Satoshi Aya, Fumito Araoka, Yasuo Ebina, Takayoshi Sasaki, Yasuhiro Ishida () and Takuzo Aida ()
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Koki Sano: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Xiang Wang: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Zhifang Sun: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Satoshi Aya: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Fumito Araoka: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Yasuo Ebina: National Institute for Materials Science, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics
Takayoshi Sasaki: National Institute for Materials Science, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics
Yasuhiro Ishida: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Takuzo Aida: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Just like in living organisms, if precise coherent operation of tiny movable components is possible, one may generate a macroscopic mechanical motion. Here we report that ~1010 pieces of colloidally dispersed nanosheets in aqueous media can be made to operate coherently to generate a propagating macroscopic wave under a non-equilibrium state. The nanosheets are initially forced to adopt a monodomain cofacial geometry with a large and uniform plane-to-plane distance of ~420 nm, where they are strongly correlated by competitive electrostatic repulsion and van der Waals attraction. When the electrostatic repulsion is progressively attenuated by the addition of ionic species, the nanosheets sequentially undergo coherent motions, generating a propagating wave. This elaborate wave in time and space can transport microparticles over a long distance in uniform direction and velocity. The present discovery may provide a general principle for the design of macroscopically movable devices from huge numbers of tiny components.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26917-1

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