Catalyst enhanced micro scale batch assembly

We enhance the efficiency of assembly of microparts in batch dry assembly methods studied previously by our group. Here we study the system dynamics with the addition of a few non-participating millimeter scale parts that act as ‘catalysts’. We present experimental results that show 25–50% reduction in acceleration needed to trigger part motion and up to 4 times increase in concentration of parts in motion due to addition of catalysts. We adapt a model from chemical kinetic theory to understand our system behavior.