Work

Field Directed Assembly of Anisotropic Composite Pacman Colloids into Reconfigurable Architectures

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: We investigate the field-directed assembly of patchy colloidal particles composed of magnetic hematite cubes encapsulated in TPM shells. These Pacman-like particles exhibit specific interactions via their magnetic patch, enabling tunable structures under external fields. A magnetic field drives patch-to-patch interactions, while an AC electric field induces stacking and spreading. By using this multi-field combination and by varying field parameters, such as frequency and amplitude, we achieve programmable transitions between distinct assembly modes. Our work offers a versatile platform for designing reconfigurable colloidal architectures with potential applications in micro-robotics and smart materials.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2610.32872

Authors: Barros, Indira, Songara, Isha, Chakraborty, Indrani

Language: English

Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Arthritis National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation, Science and Engineering Research Board

Awards: G1258066188, G1458199836

OpenAlex ID: W7223658893

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