Giant Vesicles with Encapsulated Magnetic Nanowires as Versatile Carriers, Transported via Rotating and Nonhomogeneous Magnetic Fields

Abstract Two real‐time methods to transport magnetic nanowires confined in giant hybrid vesicles upon the application of different strategies are studied. The microscale carriers are either magnetically guided through the viscous medium by a nonhomogenous field or advected by precisely monitored hydrodynamic flows. The slender geometry of the magnetic component enables the application of large torques, the in situ characterization of the rotational dynamics, as well as the guided propulsion via the continuous thrust of the nanowire tip on the confining bilayer. The flexibility of the vesicles, required to deform along the steering direction during passage through microscale openings, is enhanced via the adsorption of nonionic surfactants on the lipid membrane. The resulting integrated system is an excellent candidate to transport colloidal cargos or fluid amounts of some picoliters in microfluidic platforms, even in physiological environments, since it combines the maneuverability of propelled microscopic systems and the protection conferred by the vesicle.