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Circular Motion of Asymmetric Self-Propelling Particles

Felix Kümmel, Borge ten Hagen, Raphael Wittkowski, Ivo Buttinoni, Ralf Eichhorn, Giovanni Volpe, Hartmut Löwen, and Clemens Bechinger
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 198302 – Published 9 May 2013
Physics logo See Synopsis: Round and Round in Circles

Abstract

Micron-sized self-propelled (active) particles can be considered as model systems for characterizing more complex biological organisms like swimming bacteria or motile cells. We produce asymmetric microswimmers by soft lithography and study their circular motion on a substrate and near channel boundaries. Our experimental observations are in full agreement with a theory of Brownian dynamics for asymmetric self-propelled particles, which couples their translational and orientational motion.

  • Received 14 February 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.198302

© 2013 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Round and Round in Circles

Published 9 May 2013

The circular swimming motion of self-propelled, L-shaped microparticles may provide insight into microorganisms that are similarly lacking in symmetry.

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Authors & Affiliations

Felix Kümmel1, Borge ten Hagen2, Raphael Wittkowski3, Ivo Buttinoni1, Ralf Eichhorn4, Giovanni Volpe1,*, Hartmut Löwen2, and Clemens Bechinger1,5

  • 12. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany
  • 2Institut für Theoretische Physik II, Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
  • 3SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, United Kingdom
  • 4Nordita, Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
  • 5Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • *Present address: Department of Physics, Bilkent University, Cankaya, Ankara 06800, Turkey.

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Circular Motion of Asymmetric Self-Propelling Particles”

B. U. Felderhof
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 029801 (2014)

Kümmel et al. Reply:

Felix Kümmel, Borge ten Hagen, Raphael Wittkowski, Daisuke Takagi, Ivo Buttinoni, Ralf Eichhorn, Giovanni Volpe, Hartmut Löwen, and Clemens Bechinger
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 029802 (2014)

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Issue

Vol. 110, Iss. 19 — 10 May 2013

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