CHAPTER 10:Artificial Flagellar Micro‐swimmers

In this chapter, we will show how magnetic colloids can be readily self‐assembled into flexible magnetic filament structures. Due to their magnetic and flexible properties, applying external fields can deform these objects. The induced deformations are strongly reminiscent of flagella movements that are encountered in nature. Based on this observation of artificially induced flagella motion, we were able to use these filaments as artificial flagella, which can move in their surrounding viscous fluid and even carry a cargo. These engines were also used to confirm previous predictions made by scientists in the field of fluid mechanics.