Phys.org December 1, 2024
Marangoni surfers are simple, cost-effective tabletop experiments that, despite their simplicity, exhibit rich dynamics and collective behaviors driven by physicochemical mechanisms, hydrodynamic interactions, and inertial motion. An international team of researchers (the Netherlands, USA – Harvard University) designed, developed and manufactured self-propelled particles to move on the air-water interface. They had tunable motility, and surface tension-mediated forces-controlled particle-particle interactions. Rapid prototyping through 3D printing facilitated the exploration of a wide design space, enabled precise control over particle shape and function. They investigated self-assembly in the system and highlighted its potential for modular designs where mechanically linked particles with varying characteristics followed outlined trajectories. According to the researchers their work offers a flexible, low-cost approach to designing active interfacial systems and opens new possibilities for further advancements of adaptive, multifunctional devices… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Marangoni-driven particle design concept, fabrication, and propulsion mechanics. Credit: ActiveCheerios: 3D-Printed Marangoni-Driven Active Particles at an Interface