Cara Lozon

Title of Work:

Chemically-Driven Janus Electromagnets: Using physical chemistry to alternatively generate magnetic fields

Abstract:

For my fieldwork experience abroad, I conducted research with a group called Nanosystems Analytics within the Institute of Molecular Sciences in Bordeaux, France. The group is largely composed of chemists, however, I played the role of the “physics point of view” in the elaboration of a previous project that focused on the synergy of electronic redox currents and magnetic fields. Unveiling the complex relationship between electricity and magnetism has led to countless technological advancements, making electromagnetism a perennial subject of interest. Coupling spontaneous redox reactions at each extremity of a solenoid mimics a standard power source and introduces an unconventional, wireless approach to shuttling electrons. During my internship, I applied this concept to Mg/Pt hybrid microswimmers possessing helical geometry to develop an alternative to spontaneously inducing magnetism. These chemical electromagnets demonstrate compass-like motion in external magnetic fields. The torque on the swimmer is proportional to its current, and through varying the concentration of the solution, we were able to fine-tune its angular velocity.

Title of Work (IGP Language):

Électroaimants Janus Chimique: Utiliser la chimie physique pour générer alternativement des champs magnétiques

Abstract (IGP Language):

Pour mon expérience de terrain à l'étranger, j'ai mené des recherches avec un groupe appelé Nanosystèmes Analytiques au sein de l'Institut des Sciences Moléculaires à Bordeaux, France. Le groupe est en grande partie composé de chimistes, cependant, j'ai joué le rôle du point de vue physique dans l'élaboration d'un projet précédent qui portait sur la synergie des courants redox électroniques et des champs magnétiques. Les développements impressionnants technologiques qui sont venus de la relation entre les charges électriques et le magnétisme a rendu l’électromagnétisme un sujet perpétuel d’intéresse. Traditionnellement, une bobine est alimentée par une source de tension qui est connectée directement aux bouts, cependant, le couplage de réactions redox aux extrémités d’une bobine imitent une source de tension et présente une nouvelle approche non conventionnelle et sans fil pour les alimenter. Pendant mon stage, j’ai appliqué cette idée aux nageurs hélicoïdales de Mg/Pt pour proposer une alternative pour produire spontanément un champ magnétique. Ces électroaimants s'orientent comme les boussoles dans les champs magnétiques externes. L’intensité de la torque est proportionnelle au courant redox du nageur, et nous avons pu ajuster sa vitesse angulaire en changeant la force de la solution.

Elevator Pitch Video

Elevator Pitch Transcript:

Hello everybody! My name is Cara Lozon and I'm a fifth year IGP student in NAU’s IGP program. I'm studying French and my subject major is physics and astronomy. The title of my project is Chemically-Driven Janus Electromagnets: Using physical chemistry to alternatively generate magnetic fields.

I spent my year abroad in Bordeaux, France where I attended the University of Bordeaux and completed my internship. I chose to go to Bordeaux because I wanted to challenge myself to be in a smaller city where there would be more opportunities for me to speak French. In addition, the professor whom I was working for at NAU at the time had a friend who was a research professor in Bordeaux, so I wanted to take advantage of that connection. I'm happy to look back on this time and report that I absolutely thrived in this environment and still think back to France as home.

I really enjoyed exploring France during weekends and breaks. Though I enjoyed living in Bordeaux, I loved little vacations in the Dordogne region, and I spent most of my free time out in the countryside enjoying real French cuisine and the way of life in tiny towns outside of Bordeaux.

From February to August 2022, I did an internship with a lab on campus called Analytical Nanosystems, which is a sub-group of Bordeaux INP, the University of Bordeaux, and the Institute of Molecular Sciences. I absolutely lived for this job, and the fact that 80% of the people working there were international made the experience really fun and intercultural. The group is largely composed of chemists, however, I played the role of the “physics point of view” in the elaboration of a previous project that focused on the synergy of electronic redox currents and magnetic fields.

Since its discovery, electromagnetism has given rise to countless valuable developments, and even its most fundamental principles continue to be applied to modern concepts. Coupling spontaneous redox reactions at each extremity of an object mimics a standard power source and introduces an unconventional, wireless approach creating an electrical current.

During my internship, I applied this concept to Mg/Pt hybrid microswimmers possessing the geometry of a traditional solenoid to develop an alternative to spontaneously inducing magnetism.

To test this theory, these swimmers were placed in a uniform magnetic field that was periodically reversed. The redox current flowing through the loops of the swimmer generates its magnetic field, and, similarly to a compass, it proceeds to self-orient in alignment with the applied exterior magnetic field. The experimentally measured torque on the swimmer is proportional to the experimentally obtained values of its redox current, and through varying the concentration of the solution, we were able to fine-tune its angular velocity.

This is the first demonstration of a swimmer capable of inducing its own magnetic field. The success of this project means that ferromagnetic materials are no longer necessary in the fabrication of magnetic micro-devices and swimmers. In fact, theoretically, any two redox pairs may be used in combination with solenoidal geometry in order to achieve this electromagnetic effect. In the future, I would love the opportunity to explore the collective behavior of these devices and even the development of biological electromagnets using the concepts behind traditional enzymatic biofuel cells. This internship was an absolutely unforgettable experience and really showed me the kind of environment and subjects that suit me the best as far as future research goes.

Digital Poster