Distinguished Scholar Sharing Series:
Light driven microgel objects – motion out of equilibrium
by Professor Martin Möller
Date: October 19, 2018 (Fri)
Time: 3:00 - 3:45pm
Venue: Engineering DreamLab, Research Student Centre, G/F Haking Wong Building
Speaker: Professor Martin Möller
Scientific Director
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Chair of Textile Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry
RWTH Aachen University
Abstract:
Qualification of polymer objects to undergo autonomous motion, i.e., driven and directed (i) rotation, (ii) vibration/oscillation or (iii) translation (locomotion), requires the particles to do work. This in turn requires a local energy input. Furthermore, because of the low Reynolds numbers, the actuation must not generate a reciprocating change in the particles conformation or shape. Hence, the most efficient locomotor systems of microorganisms such as flagella or rotational motors rely on complex internal motility, and attempts to mimic flagella synthetically are still in their infancy. Here we report on a rather facile and versatile LCST-hydrogel system where the motion is affected by volume change and bending of the micro object and where it can be precisely controlled by the (i) design of the geometrical shape, (ii) the widely variable material properties and (iii) by the energy intake via infra-red irradiation that can be modulated in time and intensity to affect volume changes and bending.
