Despite several previously published concepts for artificial cilia, we were the first to present a prototype device on which we have proven and measured the pumping of fluid. The measured flow shows an excellent agreement with the prediction of our numerical model. Artificial cilia have a high potential for use in microfluidic applications, either as pumps or as mixers. We have published the results in the renowned journal PNAS and they were also reported in an editorial in Nature Physics. Besides that, we have published a comment on magnetic swimmers in Physical Review Letters.
COBISS.SI-ID: 23251239
The discovery that motor proteins not only translate their filaments, but in many cases also rotate them, is rather old, but so far the experimental results were in apparent contradiction with regard to the twirling handedness and an explanation of the twirling mechanism of was lacking. Our model qualitatively and quantitatively explains the emergence of left-handed twirling. As the pitch depends strongly on the ATP concentration, the model also predicts the possibility of a cross-over from left- to right-handed motion, thus providing a reconciliation of previously contradicting results.
COBISS.SI-ID: 22803751