Photo-chemopropulsion--light-stimulated movement of microdroplets

Abstract

The controlled movement of a chemical container by the light-activated expulsion of a chemical fuel, named here "photo-chemopropulsion", is an exciting new development in the array of mechanisms employed for controlling the movement of microvehicles, herein represented by lipid-based microdroplets. This "chemopropulsion" effect can be switched on and off, and is fully reversible.

Keywords: chemopropulsion; droplet actuation; photoacids; photoactuation; spiropyrans.