Multi-Stimuli Responsive Hydrogel Cilia

Large arrays of high aspect ratio, artificial hydrogel based cilia that can respond to multiple stimuli are produced by means of micro-fabrication techniques. The cilia operate in aqueous solutions and are sensitive to pH, electric and/or magnetic fields. The biomimetic system combines both sensing and motility. Detection of changes in environment, such as a decrease in pH, triggers a collective response, to an external time-dependent magnetic field.