AC electrophoresis of microdroplets in anisotropic liquids: transport, assembling and reaction

Abstract

We describe the realization and controlled transport of water-based microreactors dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal and transported by application of an alternating electric field through the mechanism of induced charge electrophoresis. We characterize the propulsion speed of these microreactors in terms of droplet size, strength and frequency of the applied field and show how to use them to transport microscale colloidal cargoes and coalesce water miscible chemicals. Controlled motion of microdoplets in anisotropic fluids is a rich field of research which unveils new perspectives in the transport of water miscible chemicals or drugs.