Harnessing the collective motion of the nematode T. aceti to produce work

We are experimentally studying the possibility of displacing objects or producing fluid flows using the collective motion of the nematode Turbatrix Aceti, also known as the Vinegar Eel. It has previously been found that under favorable conditions, such as the droplet's contact angle ( θ > 68°), T. aceti can produce synchronously beating and moving metachronal waves. It has been observed that this collective motion can both exert a force on the border of the droplet and produce fluid flows inside the droplet. We want to harness these forces and flows to displace objects and generate on demand fluid flows. For the first goal we use 3d printed wedge shaped micro-boats with various angles of the wedge. For the second goal, we 3d print michrochannels with triangularly shaped pockets of various angles. We measure the displacement of the boats and the fluid flows produced in michrochannels as a function of the angle of the wedge and pockets. These experiments expand our knowledge on how active matter can be used both for the displacement of objects and generation of fluid flows.