  We present an automated procedure for the design of optimal actuation for
flagellar magnetic microswimmers based on numerical optimization. Using this
method, a new magnetic actuation method is provided which allows these devices
to swim significantly faster compared to the usual sinusoidal actuation. This
leads to a novel swimming strategy which makes the swimmer perform a 3D
figure-8 trajectory. This shows that a faster propulsion is obtained when the
swimmer is allowed to go out-of-plane. This approach is experimentally
validated on a scaled-up flexible swimmer.
