Researchers at the University of Bristol have advanced in the development of “realistic” synthetic materials that can move for themselves such as worms.
Scientists have been investigating a new class of materials called ‘active matter’, which could be used for various applications, from the administration of medicines to the self -control materials.
Compared to inanimate matter, the type of motionless materials that we find in our lives every day, such as plastic and wood, active matter can show fascinating realistic behavior.
These materials are made of elements that are expelled from the balance by internal energy sources, which allows them to move independently.
Researchers at the University of Bristol, in collaboration with scientists in Paris and Leiden, carried out the experiment using special particles of the size of microns (one millionth of a meter) called Janus colloids, which were suspended in a liquid mixture.
Then, the equipment made the active material by applying a strong electric field and observed the effects using a special microscope type that takes three -dimensional images.
Previous investigations in this field had used larger colloid particles, but when the colloids climb to a third of their size, researchers from the University of Bristol were able to experiment in three dimensions and found fascinating results.
When the electric field was lit, the dispersed colloid particles would merge together to form worm -like structures, which creates a totally three -dimensional synthetic matter system.
Research work ‘,’Active dipole colloid travel chains’ has been published in Physical Revision Letters. The first author, Mr. Xichen Chao, explained: “We found the formation of new fascinating structures: autonomous active filaments that remind living worms. Then we could develop a theoretical framework that allowed us to predict and control the movement of synthetic worms. They base only on their lengths. “
Professor Tannie Liverpool co -author added: “While applications in the real world are probably far in the future, because these materials can move independently, it could eventually lead to the ability to design devices that move independently different parts of themselves, or the design of particle swarms that can look for an objective that can have health applications by having medications and treatments specifically directed. “
Synthetic worm chains discovered emerge in low density conditions. A higher densities, the researchers found that the particles formed structures similar to a sheet and labyrinth.
Academics from the University of Bristol believe that there may be several useful applications for progress, which are now investigating more experiments and theoretical models.
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