Directed Motion and Cargo Transport Through Propagation of Polymer‐Gel Volume Phase Transitions

A thermosensitive polymer hydrogel can be used to transport cargo by propagating a volume-phase transition along its length (see Figure; red and blue arrows correspond to localized heating and cooling, respectively). Directional motion with velocities up to 15 μm s–1 for cylinder diameters of approximately 1 mm are recorded. Miniaturization of this device could lead to increased gel speeds and microfluidic and medical applications.