Acoustic tweezers for contactless and selective manipulation of micro- and nanoscopic objects
This MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) allows the remote manipulation of particles, cells, and droplets lying in a liquid sample with high selectivity (one particle can be selected and moved independently of its neighbors).
This technology relies on the use of a specific kind of volume acoustic waves called swirling volume acoustic waves, which are synthesized a few millimeters from piezoelectric material with interdigitated transducers.
These waves, once transmitted to a liquid sample, create a localized acoustic trap.
Benefits
- 3D Trapping and Manipulation
- The manipulation is contactless and non-invasive and does not interfere with biological processes, thus limiting alteration of the particle, cell, etc.
- The MEMS is highly compact and can be easily integrated into existing systems (microscope, lens, lab-on-a-chip).
- The system can manipulate particles ranging from 1 mm to 100 nanometers.
- The device production is simple, inexpensive, and compatible with current equipment.
- No pre-marking is required for the manipulation.
- The MEMS is printed on a transparent material, enabling simultaneous manipulation and visualization.
- The trapping process is compatible with a wide range of materials, including glass and PMMA (e.g., Petri dishes or microchannels).