Soft and reconfigurable active systems: towards bioinspired microdevices

Fecha: 17 de febrero de 2023.
Hora: 12:00h a 13:00h.
Lugar: Aula A22.

Ponente: Dr. Laura Álvarez (Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CNRS) - University of Bordeaux). 

Resumen: Bioinspired microdevices are the prelude to a great advance in biomedical technologies. However, there is a clear gap in fabricating prototypes of the size and complexity of cells. Active colloids are an experimental paradigm to realize microrobots due to their ability to self-propel and perform simple tasks, yet they fail to provide autonomous units due to their limited geometries and materials, and lack of autonomy. How can we push the experimental limits and realize bioinspired microscale devices?

Here, I will demonstrate that using soft responsive materials is the key to a new generation of biomimetic active colloids. I will present an overview of the various strategies we used to develop bioinspired responsive and tactic-like dynamics of active colloids. Then, I will show our recent results on the fabrication of cell-like active assemblies using giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). In contrast to the traditional active colloids, active GUVs present an excellent cell-model system, thanks to their membrane permeability and ability to enclose nano and micro-objects. The proposed cell-like architecture reveals exciting opportunities for the development of soft and adaptive active microdevices with in-built feedback via bottom-up approaches.

Organiza: Grupo de Física de Fluidos y Biocoloides de la UGR.