We demonstrate a novel method to assemble and transport swarms of colloidalparticles by combining liquid crystals enabled electrophoresis andphoto-sensitive surface patterning. Colloidal particles are propelled in anematic liquid crystal via application of an alternating current electricfield. Swarms of particles are assembled into a rotating mill cluster, or movedas a whole along predefined paths photo-imprinted on chemically functionalizedsubstrates. This technique represents an alternative approach to fluid basedlab-on-a-chip technologies guiding the motion of large ensembles of micrometerscale solid or liquid inclusions.
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