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Magnetically Actuated Rolling of Star‐Shaped Hydrogel Microswimmer
Author(s) -
Hu Narisu,
Wang Lefeng,
Zhai Wenhe,
Sun Mengmeng,
Xie Hui,
Wu Zhiguang,
He Qiang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201700540
Subject(s) - star (game theory) , materials science , star polymer , nanotechnology , propulsion , magnetic field , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , polymer , composite material , physics , aerospace engineering , polymerization , engineering , astrophysics , quantum mechanics
A magnetically powered, star‐shaped poly(vinylalcohol)/alginate (PVA/ALG) hydrogel microswimmer is described as a biodegradable motile vehicle for potential biomedical applications. The star‐shaped microswimmer is fabricated by the addition of a mixture containing PVA, ALG, and magnetic nanoparticles in the optimal ratio into the designed star‐shape silicon pattern and subsequent gelation of the mixture inside the pattern. This hydrogel microswimmer displays efficient and controllable propulsion in biological media under a vertical rotating magnetic field. Such star‐shaped hydrogel microswimmers have excellent biodegradability and mechanical capability and thus show promise in biomedical applications such as drug transport and surgery.