The goal of this project is to build and steer swarms of micron-scale magnetic colloidal particles that come together and move cooperatively through complex environments, much like schools of fish, flocks of birds, or swarms of insects. These swarms are activated by a time-varying magnetic source (for example, an electromagnet or a moving permanent magnet) which functions as an external remote controller. The magnetic controller can direct swarms to propel through fluids, maneuver over surfaces and around obstacles, detect and respond to changes in their surroundings, and carry passive cargo.

This project aims to advance the field of magnetic swarms by integrating large computer simulations, theoretical modeling, and experimental approaches within a cohesive framework. Mastering life-like swarm behavior could enable miniature ARMS robots that deliver medicine inside the body, inspect subsurface pipelines, or remove contaminants from water supplies. By opening new frontiers in materials science and programmable matter, this project advances the nation’s health, prosperity, and security while strengthening technological leadership.

This project will also provide K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students with interdisciplinary training in computational and experimental techniques for materials science, physics, and engineering to develop our domestic workforce, improve public scientific literacy, and stimulate engagement with science and technology.