
Researchers Show It’s Possible to Teach Old Magnetic Cilia New Tricks
Magnetic cilia – artificial hairs whose movement is powered by embedded magnetic particles – have been around for a while, and are of interest for applications in soft robotics, transporting objects and mixing liquids. However, existing magnetic cilia move in a fixed way. Researchers have now demonstrated a technique for creating magnetic cilia that can be “reprogrammed,” changing their magnetic properties at room temperature to change the motion of the cilia as needed. […]