Stealthy movements and concealed swarms of swimming micro-robots

Abstract

Here, we show that micro-swimmers can form a concealed swarm through synergistic cooperation in suppressing one another's disturbing flows. We then demonstrate how such a concealed swarm can actively gather around a favorite spot, point toward a target, or track a desired trajectory in space, while minimally disturbing the ambient fluid. Our findings provide a clear road map to control and lead flocks of swimming micro-robots in stealth vs fast modes, tuned through their active collaboration in minimally disturbing the host medium.