Article
An engineered coccolith-based hybrid that transforms light into swarming motion

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100373Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Coccoliths coated with polydopamine result in design of Robocoliths

  • Robocoliths control temperature generation and swarming motion under light excitation

  • The asymmetry of coccoliths is key for generating a net force and directed motion

  • Robocoliths enable grafting of polymer brushes onto their surface

Summary

Translating energy into swarming motion for miniature entities remains a challenge. This translation requires simultaneously breaking the symmetry of the system to enable locomotion and a coupling effect between the objects that are part of the population to induce the collective motion. Here, we report on Robocoliths, engineered Emiliania huxleyi (EHUX) coccolith-based miniature hybrid entities capable of swarming behavior. EHUX coccoliths are characterized by an asymmetric morphology that allows breaking symmetry, playing a central role in generating a net force and directed motion. Their activation with the bioinspired material polydopamine not only endows the asymmetric coccoliths with advanced functionalities, such as thermal- and energy-harvesting responsiveness under visible light exposure to display a collective behavior (i.e., swarming), but it also provides a functional surface from which antifouling polymer brushes are grown. In this context, Robocoliths pave the way for the next generation of multifunctional swarming bio-micromachines.

Keywords

Robocoliths
coccolith
polydopamine
polydopamine-coccolith hybrids
light-driven
temperature-generating
swarming micro-objects
antifouling polymer brushes

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Twitter: @mihailomora

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Twitter: @abhay_curam

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