# Dynamic self-assembly of microscale rotors and swimmers

Source: [Dynamic self-assembly of microscale rotors and swimmers](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa35a31e209131ce8a3568>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-28T13:53:55.567Z

Authors: Megan S. Davies Wykes, Jeremie Palacci, Takuji Adachi, Leif Ristroph, Xiao Zhong, Michael D. Ward, Jun Zhang, Michael J. Shelley

Published: 2015-09-21T18:19:19.000Z

## Abstract

Biological systems often involve the self-assembly of basic components into complex and function- ing structures. Artificial systems that mimic such processes can provide a well-controlled setting to explore the principles involved and also synthesize useful micromachines. Our experiments show that immotile, but active, components self-assemble into two types of structure that exhibit the fundamental forms of motility: translation and rotation. Specifically, micron-scale metallic rods are designed to induce extensile surface flows in the presence of a chemical fuel; these rods interact with each other and pair up to form either a swimmer or a rotor. Such pairs can transition reversibly be- tween these two configurations, leading to kinetics reminiscent of bacterial run-and-tumble motion.

## Recorded benchmark results

A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage.

## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/1509.06330>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/1509.06330.pdf>)