AUTHOR=Liang Shuzhang , Sun Jiayu , Zhang Chaonan , Zhu Zixi , Dai Yuguo , Gan Chunyuan , Cai Jun , Chen Huawei , Feng Lin
TITLE=Parallel Manipulation and Flexible Assembly of Micro-Spiral via Optoelectronic Tweezers
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
VOLUME=10
YEAR=2022
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2022.868821
DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2022.868821
ISSN=2296-4185
ABSTRACT=
Micro-spiral has a wide range of applications in smart materials, such as drug delivery, deformable materials, and micro-scale electronic devices by utilizing the manipulation of electric fields, magnetic fields, and flow fields. However, it is incredibly challenging to achieve a massively parallel manipulation of the micro-spiral to form a particular microstructure in these conventional methods. Here, a simple method is reported for assembling micro-spirals into various microstructures via optoelectronic tweezers (OETs), which can accurately manipulate the micro-/bio-particles by projecting light patterns. The manipulation force of micro-spiral is analyzed and simulated first by the finite element simulation. When the micro-spiral lies at the bottom of the microfluidic chip, it can be translated or rotated toward the target position by applying control forces simultaneously at multiple locations on the long axis of the micro-spiral. Through the OET manipulation, the length of the micro-spiral chain can reach 806.45 μm. Moreover, the different parallel manipulation modes are achieved by utilizing multiple light spots. The results show that the micro-spirulina can be manipulated by a real-time local light pattern and be flexibly assembled into design microstructures by OETs, such as a T-shape circuit, link lever, and micro-coil pairs of devices. This assembly method using OETs has promising potential in fabricating innovative materials and microdevices for practical engineering applications.