Patra Research Lab 

Self-powered micro devices have garnered a significant amount of attention in the recent past due to their versatility and simplicity. A self-powered micropump converts chemical energy into mechanical energy thus creating fluidic motion within the system. This fluidic motion is a consequence of highly selective molecular interactions at micro scale. A supramolecular pump takes into consideration the supramolecular interplay of non-covalent interactions and operates on the fluid flow between the host and guest interface. This approach is an interesting addition to the supramolecular stimuli-responsive micro systems.

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Our team is investigating such interactions by observing fluidic motion within a chamber. For that matter, we functionalize the glass surface with a host multilayer film and observe its interaction with respective guests in a closed chamber. This fluidic motion can be monitored by microparticles thus helping us to understand relationship between experimental factors and the supramolecular interaction occurring within the device.