| Author(s): |
Pramod P. Mathai; Andrew J. Berglund; James A. Liddle; Benjamin Shapiro; |
| Title: |
Simultaneous Positioning and Orientation of a Single Nano-object by Flow Control: theory and simulations |
| Published: |
January 19, 2011 |
| Abstract: |
In this paper we describe a method to simultaneously control both the position and orientation of single nano-objects in fluids by precisely controlling the flow around them. We develop and simulate a control law that uses electro-osmotic flow (EOF) actuation to translate and rotate rigid nano-objects in two spatial dimensions. Using EOF to control nano-objects offers advantages as compared to other approaches: a wide class of objects can be manipulated (no magnetic or electric dipole moments are needed), the object can be controlled over a long range (> 100 microns) with sub-micron accuracy, and control is achieved using a simple polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) device. We demonstrate the theory and numerical solutions that will enable deterministic control of the position and orientation of a nano-object in solution, which can be used for example, to integrate nanostructures in circuits and orient sensors to probe living cells. |
| Citation: |
New Journal of Physics |
| Volume: |
13 |
| Pages: |
27 pp. |
| Keywords: |
Flow control; electro-osmotic flow; position; orientation; nano-objects |
| Research Areas: |
Nanofluidics |
| PDF version: |
 Click here to retrieve PDF version of paper (920KB) |
