Ring of capillary actuators as trap, tweezers, and ratchet for floating particles

Ring of capillary actuators as trap, tweezers, and ratchet for floating particles | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Ring of capillary actuators as trap, tweezers, and ratchet for floating particles Jean Metzmacher, Megan Delens, Nicolas Vandewalle This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5383592/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 01 Jul, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The manipulation of small floating objects represents a crucial step in mesoscale and microfabrication, or the self-aggregation of particles into functional devices. These tiny objects placed at a liquid-air interface interact due to the local liquid slopes created by their menisci. In this study, we present Dipolar Capillary Actuators (DCA), which can modify the local slope of the interface on demand thanks to the magnetic and capillary torque balance. We experimentally characterize these systems and provide a model to describe their ability to alter liquid slopes. These tiny DCA devices can attract or repel floating particles regardless of size, shape, and wettability. We present a proof-of-concept system comprising six DCAs arranged in a ring that serves as a capillary trap, tweezers, and ratchet. Physical sciences/Materials science Physical sciences/Physics Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplementaryVideoS1.avi SupplementaryVideoS2.avi SupplementaryVideoS3.avi SupplementaryDatasetS4.zip DescriptionofAdditionalSupplementaryFiles.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 01 Jul, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 09 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 14 Mar, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Mar, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 02 Mar, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 23 Nov, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 21 Nov, 2024 Editor invited by journal 11 Nov, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 08 Nov, 2024 First submitted to journal 03 Nov, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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