Synthetic swimmers: microorganism swimming without microorganisms
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
15:00 UTC
Prof Roberto Zenit
Brown University
Recording
Open recording
Hosted by BioActive Fluids70 minutes
Abstract
The effect of non Newtonian liquid rheology on the swimming performance of microorganisms is still poorly understood, despite numerous recent studies. In our effort to clarify some aspects of this problem, we have developed a series of magnetic synthetic swimmers that self-propel immersed in a fluid by emulating the swimming strategy of flagellated microorganisms. With these devices, it is possible to control some aspects of the motion with the objective to isolate specific effects. In this talk, recent results on the effects of shear-thinning viscosity and viscoelasticity on the motion of helical swimmers will presented and discussed. Also, a number of other new uses of the synthetic swimmers will be presented including swimming across gradients, swimming in sand, interactions and rheometry.
Topics
Related Job Opportunities
JobJobJob
Postdoctoral Scientist - Sarvestani Lab
The Sarvestani Lab at Cornell University is recruiting a postdoctoral scientist in systems neuroscience to study how visual and motor systems across the brain and body support perception and…
Posted Aug 12, 2026
Ithaca, New York, United States
PhD Studentship: Mitochondrial Metabolism and Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) (Fixed Term)
Supervisors: Professor Andrew Murray, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge Dr Ross Lindsay, Novo Nordisk Funding: Fully funded PhD studentship (Home/UK…
Posted Aug 10, 2026
Research Associate (Fixed Term)
We seek a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the laboratory of Professor Kathy Niakan. We are based in the Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (LCTR), in the Department of…
Posted Aug 11, 2026