Nanomotors-driven artificial micromachines

The aim of this project is to design an active fluid at the nanoscale for the development of new types of micrometer-sized machines capable of performing work. Biological cells are prototypical examples of active matter. They behave like microscopic factories, orchestrating complex processes at the nanoscale. Emulating such biological engineering with artificial systems is a fundamental goal, both for the development of autonomous materials, and for achieving tasks at scales inaccessible to traditional engineering or robotics. This requires understanding the fundamental rules governing the dynamics out-of-equilibrium artificial systems, and of their capacity to generate work. In this context, NanoDArt draws inspiration from biological engineering, and aims to study and develop an active fluid composed of artificial nanomotors, to enable the building of fully controllable and reconfigurable micromachines. The innovative approach of NanoDArt is the combination of the use of statistical ensembles of nanomotors in confined volumes, with precise optical control of their dynamics, thus opening new perspectives for the rational design of internally fueled micromachines. To probe the dynamics of nanomotors in spite of high thermal noise, the project employs optical correlation, particle tracking, and statistical analysis techniques. We will first develop an active fluid composed of light-activated nanoparticles, self-propelled by thermophoresis. We will then study the effect of scale reduction on self-propulsion and 3D collective effects. Subsequently, we will quantify the active pressure and temperature of our system and utilize the statistical properties of our system to construct a colloidal engine. Finally, we will harness the nanoscale active fluid as internal machinery for a deformable microstructure. We will thus develop a new type of microscopic motor, which uses the active fluid as a fuel, and the membrane as a piston, analogous to the combustion chamber of thermal engines. We will optically modulate the internal forces induced by nanomotors to deform and move the structure, programming work-generation protocols. The realization of this project will pave the way for the building of novel hierarchical materials, based on the use of micromachines made of nanomachines, which cannot be constructed with current systems.