Self-assembly of micro-machining systems powered by Janus micro-motors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how Janus micro-motors can self-assemble around micro-rotors to create autonomous, self-powered micromachining systems with steady rotation, driven solely by active matter interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel self-assembly process of Janus colloids around micro-rotors, enabling autonomous micromachining without external power or control.

Findings

Janus colloids self-assemble into ordered configurations around rotors

Assembled systems achieve unidirectional steady rotation

Geometry and dynamics govern the self-assembly process

Abstract

Integration of active matter in larger micro-devices can provide an embedded source of propulsion and lead to self-actuated micromachining systems that do not rely on any external power or control apparatus. Here we demonstrate that Janus colloids can self-assemble around micro-fabricated rotors in reproducible configurations with a high degree of spatial and orientational order. The final configuration maximizes the torque applied on the rotor leading to a unidirectional and steady rotating motion. We discuss how the interplay between geometry and dynamical behavior consistently leads to the self-assembly of autonomous micromotors starting from randomly distributed building blocks.