Nature has designed multifaceted cellular structures to support life. Cells contain a vast
array of enzymes that collectively perform essential tasks by harnessing energy from …

In living organisms, diffusing chemicals react with soft tissue to actuate a range of
mechanical actions, such as periodic pulsations or net motion. Inspired by this biological …

The synchronization of self-oscillating systems is vital to various biological functions, from
the coordinated contraction of heart muscle to the self-organization of slime molds. Through …

The ability to sense chemical gradients and respond with directional motility and chemical
activity is a defining feature of complex living systems. There is a strong interest among …

Phoretic colloids self-propel thanks to surface flows generated in response to surface
gradients (thermal, electrical, or chemical), that are self-induced and/or generated by other …

Two-dimensional responsive materials that change shape into complex three-dimensional
structures are valuable for creating systems ranging from wearable electronics to soft …

In fluid-filled microchambers, chemical energy released from catalytic reactions on hard
surfaces fuels the spontaneous flow of fluids and propulsion of particles. This energy …

We compute the energetic cost of formation of Janus particle structures. Using an approach
that couples particle dynamics to the evolution of fuel concentration in the medium, which we …

The inherent coupling of chemical and mechanical behavior in fluid-filled microchambers
enables the fluid to autonomously perform work, which in turn can direct the self …

The development of microscale devices that autonomously perform multistep processes is
vital to advancing the use of microfluidics in industrial applications. Such advances can …