Electric-field-induced assembly and propulsion of chiral colloidal clusters
Abstract
Although colloids have been used as molecular analogues for understanding how simple building blocks can assemble into functional materials, they are mostly spherical with isotropic properties. We are still far from truly accessing the diversity of structures desired for either fundamental understanding or technological application. Here, we report the electric-field-directed assembly of asymmetric colloids into clusters that exhibit a ubiquitous type of symmetry in nature: the chirality. We further demonstrate that the chirality induces unbalanced hydrodynamic flow, which causes rotational propulsion of chiral clusters that are fully dictated by their handedness. Both the assembly and propulsion mechanisms discovered can be universal and applied to other types of asymmetric particles. They are also useful in modeling active matter and making microengines.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- May 2015
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1502141112
- Bibcode:
- 2015PNAS..112.6307M