Toward Colloidal Motors

Abstract

We have presented the first direct observation of electric field induced rotation of epoxy based polymer rotors. Polymer disks and gears were prepared in few micrometer dimensions as rotors. Electrorotation of these sub-millimeter sized tools was studied under uniform DC electric field. The rotational speed of micron-sized polymer rotors can be conveniently tuned in wide range (between 300 – 3000 rpm) by the DC electric field intensity, opening new perspectives for their use in micro electric motor applications.