Dynamically self-assembling carriers enable guiding of diamagnetic particles by weak magnets.

We show that diamagnetic particles can be remotely manipulated by a magnet by the reversible adsorption of dual-responsive, light-switchable/superparamagnetic nanoparticles down to their surface. Adsorption occurs upon exposure to UV light, and can be reversed thermally or by ambient light. The dynamic self-assembly of thin films of the dual-responsive nanoparticles induces attractive interactions between diamagnetic particles. We demonstrate that catalytic amounts of the dual-responsive nanoparticles are sufficient to magnetically guide and deliver the diamagnetic particles to desired locations, where they can then be released by disassembling the dynamic layers of superparamagnetic nanoparticles with visible light.