Exploring Janus Particle Microroller Swarms in Mazes

Title: Exploring Janus Particle Microroller Swarms in Mazes

Student: Tyler Richardson (collaborating with Junqi Cui, Mahir Enan, Olivia Percaccio, Genevieve Powell, John Riffle, and Noah Tobin)

Advisor: Professor James Gilchrist

This study aims to understand Janus particle microroller behavior under constraints by investigating the dynamic navigation of Janus particles through 3D printed mazes. The particles are 44 mm PMMA beads that are coated on one half with iron oxide and they are activated using an oscillating magnetic field. The mazes are made of transparent materials for clear visualization and efficient lighting, and they have complex patterns with branching pathways and dead ends. To understand their motion, particles are investigated under more simple systems where they swarm and move unidirectionally and their velocity and microroller flux is quantified. Using these rules, better design systems to actuate swarms of rollers and navigate them through complex geometries.