Repository logo
 

Artificial Soft Cilia with Asymmetric Beating Patterns for Biomimetic Low-Reynolds-Number Fluid Propulsion

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

No Thumbnail Available

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Milana, E 
Gorissen, B 
Peerlinck, S 
Reynaerts, D 

Abstract

In nature, liquid propulsion in low-Reynolds-number regimes is often achieved by arrays of beating cilia with various forms of motion asymmetry. In particular, spatial asymmetry, where the cilia follow a different trajectory in their effective and recovery strokes, is an efficient way of generating flow in low Reynolds regimes. However, this type of asymmetry is difficult to mimic and control artificially. In this paper, an artificial soft cilium that comprises two pneumatic actuators that can be controlled individually is developed. These two independent degrees of freedom allow for the first time adjustment and study of spatial asymmetry in the cilium's beating pattern. Using low-Reynolds-number flow measurements, it is confirmed that spatial asymmetry allows for the generation of fluid propulsion. These two-degree-of-freedom soft cilia provide a platform to study ciliary fluid transport mechanisms and to mimic biologic viscous propulsion.

Description

Keywords

artificial cilia, biomimetic systems, fluid propulsion, inflatable microactuators, soft microrobotics

Journal Title

Advanced Functional Materials

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1616-301X
1616-3028

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
European Research Council (337739)
This research was supported by the Fund for Scientific Research‐Flanders (FWO) and the European Research Council (ERC starting grant HIENA).