Emergent self-propulsion at low Reynolds number

Abstract

We here demonstrate the experimental realization of inanimate micro-swimmer complexes showing emergent self-propulsion at low Reynolds number Re < 10^(-4) in quasi 2D colloidal systems. Guided by the substrate, self-organized propulsion occurs for up to 25min with typical velocities of 1-3 μm/s, while none of the involved constituents shows self-propulsion on its own.

6 pages

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