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Magnetically assisted trapping of passive colloids by active dipolar chain

A. Compagnie1,2, N. Vandewalle2, and E. Opsomer2,*

  • *Contact author: eric.opsomer@uliege.be
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Phys. Rev. E 113, 055421 – Published 27 May, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/lfch-5drf

Abstract

We investigate a trapping mechanism for passive Brownian particles based on mixtures with self-propelled dipolar colloids. Active dipoles, whose magnetic moment is oriented perpendicularly to their propulsion direction, spontaneously form dynamic chains that collapse into clusters through dipole-dipole interactions. These transient structures efficiently capture nearby passive particles, forming dense phases at relatively low global packing fractions. Using Brownian dynamics simulations, we analyze how the capture efficiency depends on the Péclet number (Pe) and dipolar interaction strength (λ). We demonstrate that an external magnetic field, applied briefly to align the active dipoles, significantly enhances trapping efficiency, with capture fractions exceeding 50% under optimal conditions. Our results reveal a nontrivial competition between activity and dipolar forces, governed by the ratio λ/Pe, and offer insights into designing self-organized trapping strategies for passive colloids.

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Phys. Rev. E 113, 055421– Published 27 May, 2026
  • Received 7 October 2025
  • Accepted 8 May 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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