title: Small-scale heat detection using catalytic microengines irradiated by laser.
abstract: We demonstrate a novel approach to modulating the motion speed of catalytic microtubular engines via laser irradiation/heating with regard to small-scale heat detection. Laser irradiation on the engines leads to a thermal heating effect and thus enhances the engine speed. During a laser on/off period, the motion behaviour of a microengine can be repeatable and reversible, demonstrating a regulation of motion speeds triggered by laser illumination. Also, the engine velocity exhibits a linear dependence on laser power in various fuel concentrations, which implies an application potential as local heat sensors. Our work may hold great promise in applications such as lab on a chip, micro/nano factories, and environmental detection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhaoqian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jinxing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jiao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Gaoshan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yongfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mei
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D004735:Energy Transfer; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006361:Heating / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D008904:Miniaturization; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation*