Enhanced magnetic halloysite nanotubes for dye removal at different pH conditions

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have been extensively investigated for potential utilization due to their unique structure and properties as a type of natural, eco-friendly clay. The synthesis and modification of magnetic halloysite nanotubes was studied using several experimental techniques including SEM, TEM, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis...

IRONSperm swimming by rigid-body rotation versus transverse bending waves influenced by cell membrane charge

Cell membrane potential affects the electrostatic self-assembly of magnetizable nanoparticles around the flagellum of sperm cells, leading to the formation of biohybrid microrobots (i.e., IRONSperm) with various bending stiffness. Here we explain the influence of bull sperm cell membrane potential on the formation of two types of IRONSperm...

Influence of sputter pressure on magnetic and structural properties of Permalloy thin films

Well-defined and technically relevant domain configurations are sought in patterned magnetic thin films. We used Magnetic Force Microscopy to investigate these in square-patterned Permalloy films. The films were prepared using dc sputter deposition by varying the Argon pressure from 1.5×10−3 to 30.0×10−3 mbar. The Landau domain configuration was...

Influence of Nanoparticle Coating on the Differential Magnetometry and Wireless Actuation of Biohybrid Microrobots

Magnetic nanoparticles can be electrostatically assembled around sperm cells to form biohybrid micro robots. These biohybrid microrobots possess sufficient magnetic material to potentially allow for pulse-echo localization and wireless actuation. Alternatively, magnetic excitation of these nanoparticles can be used for localization based on...

Three-dimensional self-assembly using dipolar interaction

Interaction between dipolar forces, such as permanent magnets, generally leads to the formation of one-dimensional chains and rings. We investigated whether it was possible to let dipoles self-assemble into three-dimensional structures by encapsulating them in a shell with a specific shape. We found that the condition for self-assembly of a...

A Thermodynamic Description of Turbulence as a Source of Stochastic Kinetic Energy for 3D Self‐Assembly

The extent to which one can use a thermodynamic description of turbulent flow as a source of stochastic kinetic energy for 3D self‐assembly of magnetically interacting macroscopic particles is investigated. It is confirmed that the speed of the objects in the flow field generated in this system obeys the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, and their...

Accurate small-scale manipulation

A 3-DoF micro-electromechanical (MEMS) stage has been designed with an innovative integrated feedback system based on thermal sensors. The stage is integrated in the device layer of a silicon-oninsulator-wafer, which means that no assembly is required and the stage can be fabricated using only a single mask. The range of motion is over 160 μm in...