title: Ultrasound-modulated bubble propulsion of chemically powered microengines.
abstract: The use of an ultrasound (US) field for rapid and reversible control of the movement of bubble-propelled chemically powered PEDOT/Ni/Pt microengines is demonstrated. Such operation reflects the US-induced disruption of normal bubble evolution and ejection, essential for efficient propulsion of catalytic microtubular engines. It offers precise speed control, with sharp increases and decreases of the speed at low and high US powers, respectively. A wide range of speeds can thus be generated by tuning the US power. Extremely fast changes in the motor speed (<0.1 s) and reproducible "On/Off" activations are observed, indicating distinct advantages compared to motion control methods based on other external stimuli. Such effective control of the propulsion of chemically powered microengines, including remarkable "braking" ability, holds considerable promise for diverse applications.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Nanoengineering and Engineering, University of California-San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
authors.forename: Tailin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Garcia-Gradilla
authors.forename: Jinxing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xueji
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D009038:Motion; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D011108:Polymers; C121383:poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene); D010984:Platinum; D009532:Nickel