Device and programming abstractions for spatiotemporal control of active micro-particle swarms.
We present a hardware setup and a set of executable commands for spatiotemporal programming and interactive control of a swarm of self-propelled microscopic agents inside a microfluidic chip. In particular, local and global spatiotemporal light stimuli are used to direct the motion of ensembles of Euglena gracilis, a unicellular phototactic organism. We develop three levels of programming abstractions (stimulus space, swarm space, and system space) to create a scripting language for directing swarms. We then implement a multi-level proof-of-concept biotic game using these commands to demonstrate their utility. These device and programming concepts will enhance our capabilities for manipulating natural and synthetic swarms, with future applications for on-chip processing, diagnostics, education, and research on collective behaviors.
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Amy T
AT
Lam
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Karina G
KG
Samuel-Gama
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Jonathan
J
Griffin
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Matthew
M
Loeun
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Lukas C
LC
Gerber
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Zahid
Z
Hossain
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Nate J
NJ
Cira
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Seung Ah
SA
Lee
Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Clark Center Room E350A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ingmar@stanford.edu.
Ingmar H
0000-0002-6068-5561
IH
Riedel-Kruse