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Microfluidic Flow Induced by Magnetically Actuated Microscopic Cilia
By Charles Paul MOORE - Matière et Systèmes Complexes, Université Paris Cité, Paris
March 25, 2025 at 11:00AM - Jean Perrin Laboratory - Jussieu Campus - Towers 22-32 - 4th floor. - Room 407
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Abstract
Lungs are lined with a thin layer of mucus which aids in clearing away foreign particulate. To remove this dirty mucus from the lung, bronchi are lined with cilia: small hair-like structures which beat, forcing the mucus to flow upwards. One approach to studying cilia has been the use of artificial microfabricated cilia, which actuate under a varying magnetic field. Our artificial cilia are made using soft lithography, filling moulds with iron microparticles, as well as polydimethylsiloxane, and then curing. We characterized these cilia by simulating their bending under the magnetic field, and comparing with experimental results. By creating a rotating magnetic field, we are able to asymmetrically actuate our cilia. When arrayed together in a channel, this actuation is capable of directing flow. We measured this pumping capacity by particle tracking velocimetry in closed channels. We also show that while increasing viscosity decreases the overall flow within the channel, the impact of viscosity diminishes for thicker fluids.







