A single Janus particle less than 10 microns in diameter (Credit: Benjamin Yellin Lab, Pratt School of Engineering)
Scientists incorporated Roman mythology when they named a unique class of minuscule particles after the god Janus, depicted as the two faces facing opposite directions.
Engineers from Duke University can control all degrees (six) of the particle's motion for the first time in history. The team used a fabrication strategy to coat the particle with smaller fraction of material which allowed the particle to be compatible with optical traps and external magnetic fields. Therefore, total control over the particles was obtained.
This opens broad range of applications and further nano-technology. It can serve as the building block for many new technologies such as the electronic paper and self-propelling mirco-machines. An online journal "Advanced Materials" covers this discovery
Reference: Science Daily
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