Ulsan, South Korea – Researchers from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of materials science. Led by Professor Jonwoo Jeong of the Department of Physics, the team found that objects can exhibit directed motion within a liquid crystal medium by periodically changing their sizes. This innovative breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize various scientific fields and could lead to advancements in micro-robotics.
In their study, the researchers observed that air bubbles placed in a liquid crystal could move in a specific direction by varying their sizes periodically, a phenomenon not typically seen in other mediums. By introducing tiny air bubbles into the liquid crystal, comparable in size to a human hair, and manipulating the pressure, the researchers were able to demonstrate this remarkable behavior.
The key to this newfound phenomenon lies in the creation of phase defects within the liquid crystal structure next to the air bubbles. These defects disrupt the symmetrical nature of the bubbles, allowing them to experience a unidirectional force despite their symmetrical shape. As the air bubbles change in size, interacting with the surrounding liquid crystal, they are propelled in a consistent direction, defying traditional laws of physics.
Sung-Jo Kim, the lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of symmetrical objects exhibiting directed motion through symmetrical movements, a phenomenon previously unseen. He also noted that this principle could have broad applications beyond liquid crystals to various complex fluids.
Professor Jeong highlighted the importance of symmetry breaking in both time and space in propelling microscopic motion and suggested that this discovery could advance research in the development of microscopic robots. The research, titled “Symmetrically Pulsating Bubbles Swim in an Anisotropic Fluid by Nematodynamics,” was published in Nature Communications.
Funding for this research was provided by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the Institute of Basic Science (IBS), and the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS). This groundbreaking discovery opens up new avenues for further exploration in the field of materials science and micro-robotics, with potential implications for future technological advancements.