a fluid motility device includes a substrate and a plurality of molecules bound to a surface of the substrate . each of the molecules each contain a ferromagnetic , photoactive or ionic moiety . a fluid is contacted with the plurality of molecules . a non - static electromagnetic field generator or photonic generator output impinges on the substrate for moving the molecules in a concerted manner relative to the surface so as to move the fluid . a process for moving a fluid includes placing a surface into contact with a fluid , where the surface has bound thereto a plurality of molecules each containing a ferromagnetic moiety . activation of an electromagnet in proximity to the surface urges the molecules into a concerted movement relative to the surface resulting in fluid movement .