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Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles can be used for the actuation of nanostructures with external magnetic fields. Most commonly the iron oxides magnetite or maghemite are used. Iron oxides are advantageous for actuation, as they have a high permanent magnetic moment, are nontoxic and relatively stable. External magnetic fields can exert forces and torques on the particles, which can be used to actuate individual nanostructures or to guide the self-assembly of large numbers of magnetic nanostructures. The external magnetic fields can thus act as a fuel for nanomachines or can provide the energy needed to drive a system of interacting nanostructures out of thermal equilibrium. Many interesting discoveries have been made along these lines in recent years, some of which are reviewed in this chapter.