Microparticles Pave Way for Microfluidic Devices

A self-organized vortex of rotating microparticles in a fluid reverses direction when an electric stimulus is interrupted and then reapplied with the same orientation, providing fundamental insights into mechanisms behind the sudden switch in rotation. The research offers potential inspiration for microfluidic pumps that allow the controlled flow of liquids. Such pumps allow precise fluid delivery for biomedical, chemical, and electronics applications.