Flow-structure interaction at the micro-scale

Applied Math Lab, Courant Institute, NYU

Flows may be generated around micron-scale metallic rods by catalytic breakdown of a chemical fuel. These flows can cause rods to interact with each other and their environment to achieve useful results. In one example, we show that interactions between rods can be used to self-assemble micron-scale motors, in the form of rotors and T-shaped swimmers. In a second example, we demonstrate how the interaction between swimming rods and surfaces can be used to bias their long-time swimming direction.