Active granular particles can harness unbiased mechanical vibrations in the environment to generate directed motion. We provide a theoretical framework that connects the geometrical shape of a three dimensional object to its self-propulsion characteristics over a vertically vibrated plate. We find that a maximally efficient propulsion is achieved for structures having tilted flexible legs forming a characteristic angle with the vertical. Our predictions are verified by experimental observations on a class of 3D printed structures with smoothly varying geometrical features.
Shape and displacement fluctuations in soft vesicles filled by active particles / Paoluzzi, Matteo; Di Leonardo, Roberto; Marchetti, M. Cristina; Angelani, Luca. - In: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. - ISSN 2045-2322. - 6:1(2016), p. 34146. [10.1038/srep34146]
Shape and displacement fluctuations in soft vesicles filled by active particles
Paoluzzi, Matteo;Di Leonardo, Roberto;Angelani, Luca
2016
Abstract
Active granular particles can harness unbiased mechanical vibrations in the environment to generate directed motion. We provide a theoretical framework that connects the geometrical shape of a three dimensional object to its self-propulsion characteristics over a vertically vibrated plate. We find that a maximally efficient propulsion is achieved for structures having tilted flexible legs forming a characteristic angle with the vertical. Our predictions are verified by experimental observations on a class of 3D printed structures with smoothly varying geometrical features.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.