A Biomimetic Flagellum and Cilium

In Section 9.1.3, we introduced a filament made of superparamagnetic colloidal particles that are linked to each other by double-stranded DNA. We have modeled this filament as a bead-spring configuration with bending elasticity as described in Section 9.2.3. In addition, we have to include now the forces on the beads due to the dipole-dipole interaction induced by the external magnetic field. Our model very well describes the constructed artificial swimmer [4] and allows to explore the filament s capacity for transporting fluid. 

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Application of ideas from polymers has begun to revolutionize bio-related disciplines. Therefore, this review book will not be complete without a chapter detailing such an application. The last chapter ( Modeling the Hydrodynamics of Elastic Filaments and its Application to a Biomimetic Flagellum ) by Stark attempts to model Nature s successful strategies for propulsion such as of sperm cells and fluid transport such as of mucus. The artificial cilium is based on a superparamagnetic filament, actuated by an external magnetic field the latter allows one to explore the filament s capacity to transport fluid. 

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