Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SPCOLPS (Self-propelled colloidal particles: single particle motion and collective behavior)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2016-09-01 al 2018-08-31
The following projects were successfully completed:
i) Developed a novel, light-activated self-propelled particles (Janus TiO2-Au), in which we can, on demand, reverse the particle’s propulsion direction by exploiting the different photocatalytic activities. The control over the activity and the reversibility of direction by wavelength and intensity, combined with the interplay between attractions and repulsions of the individual units allows the colloidal assemblies to undergo both ‘fusion’ and ‘fission’ like transitions, mimicking aspects of multicellular behaviour.
ii) Studied active and passive mixtures, with an emphasis on the possibility to modulate structure of the passive particles by the presence of a few active ones.
iii) Developed light-activated self-propelled rods in order to mimic and study the collective behavior of collective motion of living microorganisms, i.e swarming motions, and bio-film formation.
iv) Confined self-propelled particles in cell-like environment (i.e. giant unilamellar vesicles).
v) Studied the dynamic interaction of active particles with the membrane.