Add to ORKGThe fouling of surfaces submerged in a liquid is a serious problem for many applications including lab-on-a-chip devices. Inspired by the versatility of cilia on manipulating fluids and particles, we experimentally demonstrate for the first time that surfaces covered with magnetic artificial cilia (MAC) have the capacity to efficiently prevent the attachment and adhesion of real biofouling agents microalgae Scenedesmus sp., i.e. the ciliated surfaces are antifouling. Actuated by a rotating magnet, the MAC can perform a tilted conical motion, which leads to the removal of the algae away from the ciliated area, creating a clean area.</p