Propulsion of laser printed polymer micro-rods by a low frequency electric field in nematic liquid crystals

Soft Matter 2026 Open access

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Authors: Linsy Jane Selvin Robert, Ashish Chandra Das, Vida Jurečič, V. Bobnar, Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Miha Ravnik, Igor Muševič
DOI: 10.1039/d5sm01104c
Cited by: 0
References: 55

Abstract

The trajectory of a 3D-printed polymer microrod swimming in a nematic liquid crystal, as captured under a confocal microscope. The trajectory is helical-like and the rod is propelled by a low, 90 mHz frequency AC electric field of 0.56 V µm −1 .

Fields of Study & Subjects

Micro and Nano Robotics Liquid Crystal Research Advancements Advanced Materials and Mechanics

Publication details

Journal / source
Soft Matter
Volume
22
Issue
10
Pages
2107–2121
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN