Simple and effective magnetic cilia arrays for exploring metachronal beating dynamics

Biological cilia, hair-like structures on cell surfaces, generate fluid flow through coordinated motions called metachronal waves. However, controlling metachronal waves in artificial systems often requires complex setups, limiting practical applications. In this study, we present a cost-effective microfluidic platform that uses a magnetic drive system to generate metachronal waves, eliminating the need for precise control of complex external fields. By introducing uniquely arranged permanent magnets, we achieved both antiplectic and symplectic wave modes. The transport capacity of cilia for microspheres was investigated by experiments and simulations. The results show that antiplectic waves significantly enhance microsphere transport compared to symplectic waves. This platform provides a streamlined, efficient approach to study cilia dynamics and provides insight into the design of cilia-driven microfluidic devices with potential applications in medical and biomimetic technologies.