NMP4-CT-2006-033274

ARTIC
Nature-inspired micro-fluidic manipulation using artificial cilia

December 2006 - November 2010

NMP

Fluid flow at sub-millimeter scale is generated by micro-organisms such as paramecium and pleurobrachia. The propulsion of fluid is due to the movement of hair-like structures called cilia covering the surface of the organism. This is one of nature’s most efficient ways to induce and control the flow in low Reynolds number conditions. Creating artificial structures with cilia manipulated in similar way as the natural ones would open applications in the micro-fluidics area.

First results:  movie of Cilia:

Flaps were fabricated with the Dual Purpose Layer Technique shown in Delft 2008 (internal presentation). copyright �

    Data from IMTEK (2008)

Whipping fluids along in microlabs

Scientists detail one way for hairlike structures to move liquid in a “lab on a chip”,

Interview with Patrick Onck of University of  Groningen, Dep. of Applied Physics

For further information / comments about the project, please contact:
the ARTIC Project Manager:
Dr. Cristian B. Craus
Philips Research Laboratories
High Tech Campus 4
5656 AE, Eindhoven
The Netherlands
email: ARTIC project manager

For editorial issues :  ARTIC office