Systems of mechanized and reactive droplets powered by multi-responsive surfactants

Mixing at the nanoscale

25 June 2018

Scientists from South Korea have created droplets with a nanoparticle skin that can be manipulated using light, electricity or magnetism, offering an innovative way to mix substances and carry out chemical reactions at microscopic levels.

Chemical barriers, differences in molecular weight or surface tension between materials can make them difficult or impossible to mix. However, adding compounds called surfactants lowers the surface tension between the substances, allowing them to be mixed.

Now, a team of researchers from the Institute of Basic Science in South Korea has created surfactants made from gold nanoparticles, joined to other nanoparticles, that can be controlled using optical, electric or magnetic fields, and provide remarkable flexibility in the manipulation, assembly and reaction of liquid droplets.

These nano-droplets could be used in a variety of applications, including light-guided 3D printing and microfluidic devices. 

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References

1. Nature 553, 313-318 (2018). doi: 10.1038/nature25137