A Micromanipulator and Transporter Based on Vibrating Bubbles in an Open Chip Environment

Abstract

A novel micromanipulation technique of multi-objectives based on vibrating bubbles in an open chip environment is described in this paper. Bubbles were created in an aqueous medium by the thermal energy converted from a laser. When the piezoelectric stack fixed under the chip vibrated the bubbles, micro-objects (microparticles, cells, etc.) rapidly moved towards the bubbles. Results from numerical simulation demonstrate that convective flow around the bubbles can provide forces to capture objects. Since bubbles can be generated at arbitrary destinations in the open chip environment, they can act as both micromanipulators and transporters. As a result, micro- and bio-objects could be collected and transported effectively as masses in the open chip environment. This makes it possible for scientific instruments, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning ion conductive microscopy (SICM), to operate the micro-objects directly in an open chip environment.

Integrated Assembly and Flexible Movement of Microparts Using Multifunctional Bubble Microrobots

“…During the process of disappearance, the rate of size change of the bubble is not fixed. The smaller the bubble, the faster it disappears, and this trend is similar to that observed in the growth process . Regardless of whether the bubble grows or disappears, the volume of the bubbles is proportional to the time.…”

“…The smaller the bubble, the faster it disappears, and this trend is similar to that observed in the growth process. 43 Regardless of whether the bubble grows or disappears, the volume of the bubbles is proportional to the time. The fact that bubbles form easily but disappear slowly can be utilized to lift microblocks and maintain them at that position for a certain period by positioning bubble robots under the blocks.…”

Review of Bubble Applications in Microrobotics: Propulsion, Manipulation, and Assembly

“…In addition to the non-destructive operation of cells, researchers have discovered that bubble microrobots combined with light and acoustic fields also have other characteristics including the simultaneous collection or dispersion of batch objects as well as the classification of particles of different sizes. In 2017, Dai et al [ 201 ] proposed a method for the simultaneous operation and transmission of multitarget objects in an unclosed chip. The laser was turned off and the piezoelectric actuator turned on at a certain position, and the objects gathered to the vibrating laser-generated bubble.…”

Micromanipulation With Microrobots

“…For example, biohybrid systems often need an additional applied field to steer the bacteria-or cell-powered microrobots, such as a magnetic field [4], an electrical field [47], or an optical field [48]. Other combinations of actuation mechanisms have also been explored, such as magnetic actuation with an electrostatic anchoring force [49], magnetic actuation with light stimulated drug release [50], optothermal bubble generation with acoustic-driven fluid streaming [51], and acoustically actuated magnetic field controlled microrobots [52].…”