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US 2013/0075648 A1Published application
Interface colloidal robotic manipulator
AssigneeUchicago Argonne, LLC
InventorsIgor Aronson, Oleksiy Snezhko
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Abstract
A magnetic colloidal system confined at the interface between two immiscible liquids and energized by an alternating magnetic field dynamically self-assembles into localized asters and arrays of asters. The colloidal system exhibits locomotion and shape change. By controlling a small external magnetic field applied parallel to the interface, structures can capture, transport, and position target particles.
Claims19
An system for manipulating particles comprising:
- a first liquid and a second liquid, the first and second liquid being immiscible;
- magnetic microparticles dispersed at the interface of the two immiscible liquids;
- and
- a magnetic source positioned to apply an alternating magnetic field to the dispersed magnetic microparticles.
1 more element
A self assembling structure comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic microparticles suspended at a liquid-liquid interface;
- the plurality of magnetic microparticles arranged by dipole-dipole magnetic interactions with an external magnetic field;
- and
- a deformation resulting in a non-symmetrical shape of the self assembled structure.
1 more element
A method for magnetic manipulation of self-assembled colloidal asters comprising:
- suspending magnetic particles at an interface between two immiscible liquids;
- energizing the ferromagnetic suspension by application of a vertically positioned ac magnetic field;
- forming chains of magnetic particles;
- rocking the chains of magnetic particles by action of the ac magnetic field;
- deforming the interface;
- and
- generating a hydrodynamic streaming flow associated with the chains of magnetic particles.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.