ACTIVEMOTION3D · Experimental Study of Three-dimensional Dynamics of Active Particles
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-04-01 → 2019-03-31
- EU contribution
- €173,857
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Experimental Study of Three-dimensional Dynamics of Active Particles
The project ACTIVEMOTION3D studies the behaviour of microswimmers in three dimensional (3D) complex environments. Microswimmers are microscopic objects capable of using the energy from their surrounding mediums for directed motion, namely active motion. They provide an ideal system to study far-from- equilibrium physics and have exciting applications in from statistical physics and soft matter to biomedicine and robotics. For example, the active motion of artificial microswimmers can be used for targeted drug-delivery at micro/nanoscale to improve healthcare. So far, almost all experimental studies of active motion involving either artificial microswimmers or micro-organisms such as bacteria have focused on their behaviour in 2D environments. However, their behaviour is theoretically predicted to be quantitatively different in more realistic 3D environments, which lacks experimental investigation. This is because of the limitations in employed microscopy techniques for 3D imaging in terms of high speed and depth resolution requirements. This project is aimed at specifically bridging this gap by building a customized light- sheet microscope with fast 3D imaging capabilities to study active motion in 3D complex environments. The experiments to study the behaviour of artificial microswimmers, first in homogeneous environments (water solution) and then in viscoelastic mediums will lead to understanding the under-lying physics behind such systems. The overall objective of ACTIVEMOTION3D is to utilise the understanding gained from these experiments for wide range of applications from statistical physics and soft matter to targeted drug-delivery in biology and biomedicine.2028
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Active particles are microscopic objects capable of self-propulsion. Examples include natural microorganisms, e.g. motile bacteria, chemotactic cells, and artificial colloidal microswimmers. From the fundamental side, their study can shed light on the far-from-equilibrium physics underlying the adaptive and collective behavior of microscopic biological entities. From the more applied side, they provide tantalizing options to perform tasks not easily achievable with other available techniques, such as the targeted localization, pick-up and delivery of microscopic cargoes, e.g., in drug delivery, bioremediation and chemical sensing. Despite the ever-growing interest that active particles have arisen in the scientific community, almost all experimental studies have focused on quasi-two-dimensional investigations, mainly because of limitations in the employed microscopic techniques. Nevertheless, the three-dimensional (3D) dynamics and behavior of active particles can be qualitatively different, as has already been shown by numerical and theoretical studies; this is particularly true when considering active particles moving in 3D complex and crowded environments. With this project, I will fill this gap by developing an experimental technique capable of investigating the motion of active particles in 3D. First, I will implement a state-of-the-art 3D super-resolution microscope (high-frame rate, large field of view). Then, I will use it to characterize the 3D motion of single active particles in homogenous environments. Finally, I will study their motion in complex and crowded environments similar to the ones that can be found in nature or in applications; this will permit me to explore and develop effective strategies to control the motion of active particles in these environments. This will pave the way towards a deeper understanding of the behavior of active particles and also towards realistic applications.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- GOETEBORGS UNIVERSITET · GoeteborgCoordinatorSweden
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union