Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenqiang Li, Xia Wang, Jiaming Liu, Shuai Li, Nan Li, Huizhu Hu
Summary: Introducing rotational degree of control into conventional optical tweezers offers new possibilities in physics, optical manipulation, and life science. Previous rotational schemes relied on microsphere anisotropy, limiting their applications. This study demonstrates the first experimental realization of orbiting a homogeneous microsphere using angular momentum in a transversely rotating optical trap. This method enables the exploration of orbital-translational coupling and the creation of an ultra-stable micro-gyroscope.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenjun Chen, Hao Zhou, Bin Zhang, Qinghua Cao, Bo Wang, Xing Ma
Summary: This article reviews the design, fabrication technologies, and actuation mechanisms of cell-transport microrobots, and discusses their applications, challenges, and future prospects.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ramin Jamali, Farzaneh Nazari, Azadeh Ghaffari, Sabareesh K. P. Velu, Ali-Reza Moradi
Summary: The study explores the use of speckle tweezers (ST) to manipulate low index micro-particles by repelling them from high intensity regions to lower intensity regions for local confinement. The experiments validate the method and show that ST can also manipulate nanoparticle (NP)-loaded liposomes, enabling collective manipulation of drug micro-containers.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yihua Xu, Qiong Bian, Ruxuan Wang, Jianqing Gao
Summary: This review discusses the application of micro/nanorobots in pharmaceutical field, focusing on targeted drug delivery. Different actuation energy sources and triggered release systems are explored to achieve precise delivery of therapeutics. This review may provide a different perspective or referable guidance for the future development of more flexible targeted delivery systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Yuchen Zhu, Minmin You, Yuzhi Shi, Haiyang Huang, Zeyong Wei, Tao He, Sha Xiong, Zhanshan Wang, Xinbin Cheng
Summary: Optical tweezers (OTs) are capable of manipulating particles precisely through the transfer of light momentum. They have enabled exploration in nonlinear optics, soft-condensed-matter physics, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry due to their non-contact and precise control properties. The combination of OTs with microfluidic chips has led to the development of optofluidic tweezers, overcoming limitations in speed and efficiency. This paper provides an overview of static OTs and recent advancements in optofluidic tweezers, including capture, manipulation, sorting, and measurement using different technologies. It also highlights the trend of combining optofluidic tweezers with other techniques for greater functionality, and concludes by summarizing the main challenges and future directions in this research field.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xia Peng, Mario Urso, Martina Kolackova, Dalibor Huska, Martin Pumera
Summary: This study investigates the use of magnetic biohybrid microrobots for the dynamic removal of micro/nanoplastics from aquatic environments. The microrobots, modified with Fe3O4 nanoparticles, show efficient capture and removal of micro/nanoplastics through magnetic actuation and electrostatic interactions. The microrobots also prove to be reusable and have hormesis stimulation effects on algae growth. This eco-friendly and low-cost strategy offers a promising solution for addressing micro/nanoplastics pollution.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gwenda F. Vasse, Pedro Buzon, Barbro N. Melgert, Wouter H. Roos, Patrick van Rijn
Summary: Researchers successfully tracked the immediate responses of single macrophages to biochemical stimuli by combining optical tweezers, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and microfluidics. This approach eliminates delay times introduced by other techniques during the stimulation procedure and provides an unprecedented view of the early kinetics of macrophage polarization.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiang Zheng, Mingzeng Peng, Zhuo Liu, Shuyu Li, Rongcheng Han, Han Ouyang, Yubo Fan, Caofeng Pan, Weiguo Hu, Junyi Zhai, Zhou Li, Zhong Lin Wang
Summary: This study developed a force mapping method based on a light nano-antenna array with the use of piezo-phototronic effect, achieving high-resolution dynamic mapping of cell-generated force. The methodology can be applied for fundamental study of cardiomyocyte behavior and provide valuable information for heart-related research.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jinhua Li, Hao Shen, Huaijuan Zhou, Rui Shi, Chengtie Wu, Paul K. Chu
Summary: The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria poses a major threat to global public health, as many pathogenic bacteria can form stubborn biofilms and become resistant to antibiotics. Developing novel antibiotics is urgently needed. In response to these challenges, micro/nanorobots with unique characteristics show promise as an alternative to traditional antimicrobial treatments.
MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING R-REPORTS
(2023)
News Item
Optics
Xiaohe Zhang, Bing Gu, Cheng-Wei Qiu
Summary: Researchers have proposed a new method that can measure the weak force of a single microscopic particle.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Haiyang Su, Shunxiang Li, Guang-Zhong Yang, Kun Qian
Summary: Janus particles possess distinct domains and can integrate different properties, allowing them to perform multiple functions simultaneously. Integrating Janus structure with micro/nanorobots holds promise for biomedical applications.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mengyue Li, Xingyue Hu, Ying Zhao, Niandong Jiao
Summary: Micro/nanorobots, characterized by their sizes between 1 nm and 1 mm, have the ability to convert external energy sources into mechanical energy. In recent years, they have made significant progress in different research fields, particularly in biomedicine. The small size and flexibility of micro/nanorobots enable them to achieve efficient movement and operation in microscale spaces. Their potential applications in minimally invasive surgery, targeted therapy, detection, and sensing have attracted extensive interest. This article reviews the research achievements and progress of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine from the perspectives of different propulsion methods and discusses the challenges they face in clinical applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Dmitry Malyshev, Rasmus Oberg, Tobias Dahlberg, Krister Wiklund, Lars Landstrom, Per Ola Andersson, Magnus Andersson
Summary: Micro-Raman spectroscopy combined with optical tweezers is a powerful method to analyze the biochemical composition and molecular structures of individual biological objects. The study shows that different laser powers used in trapping spores can affect the release of CaDPA and lead to notable alterations in the spores' structure. The observed effects are likely photochemical and caution should be taken when using micro-Raman spectroscopy on biological objects.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kenji Nishizawa, Shao-Zhen Lin, Claire Chardes, Jean-Francois Rupprecht, Pierre-Francois Lenne
Summary: Biological tissues acquire reproducible shapes through dynamic cell behaviors, particularly the remodeling of cell-cell contacts. This study developed a technique to manipulate stress patterns on these contacts in the early epithelium of Drosophila embryos and found that Myosin -II activity responds to junction strain rate, facilitating junction shrinkage. These findings provide insights into the efficient deformation of cell-cell contacts in vivo and reveal the mechanosensitive features of their remodeling.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hidetaka Ueno, Yoshinori Akagi, Shohei Yamamura
Summary: Selective cell retrieval is crucial for advancing cell analyzing technologies and regenerative medicine. This study presents a novel method using a light-responsive gas-generating polymer microarray for selective cell retrieval. The system allows easy and rapid retrieval of adhered cells without causing any damage.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nao Nitta, Takanori Iino, Akihiro Isozaki, Mai Yamagishi, Yasutaka Kitahama, Shinya Sakuma, Yuta Suzuki, Hiroshi Tezuka, Minoru Oikawa, Fumihito Arai, Takuya Asai, Dinghuan Deng, Hideya Fukuzawa, Misa Hase, Tomohisa Hasunuma, Takeshi Hayakawa, Kei Hiraki, Kotaro Hiramatsu, Yu Hoshino, Mary Inaba, Yuki Inoue, Takuro Ito, Masataka Kajikawa, Hiroshi Karakawa, Yusuke Kasai, Yuichi Kato, Hirofumi Kobayashi, Cheng Lei, Satoshi Matsusaka, Hideharu Mikami, Atsuhiro Nakagawa, Keiji Numata, Tadataka Ota, Takeichiro Sekiya, Kiyotaka Shiba, Yoshitaka Shirasaki, Nobutake Suzuki, Shunji Tanaka, Shunnosuke Ueno, Hiroshi Watarai, Takashi Yamano, Masayuki Yazawa, Yusuke Yonamine, Dino Di Carlo, Yoichiroh Hosokawa, Sotaro Uemura, Takeaki Sugimura, Yasuyuki Ozeki, Keisuke Goda
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Robotics
Hiroki Wada, Yuha Koike, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Takeshi Hayakawa
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2020)
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Tao Tang, Yoichiroh Hosokawa, Takeshi Hayakawa, Yo Tanaka, Weihua Li, Ming Li, Yaxiaer Yalikun
Summary: Cell rotation is a significant technique in cell manipulation, allowing observation from different angles and simplifying analysis of mechanical properties, cell physiology characterization, and microsurgery. Various methods, including micro-robot-based direct manipulation and field-based non-contact methods, have been utilized for cell rotation. This review summarizes the mechanisms, advantages, disadvantages, differences, and limitations of these methods, aiming to illustrate the development and prospects in the field of cell rotation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shunnosuke Kodera, Tomoki Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: We propose a microgripper actuated by soft thermoresponsive hydrogels for manipulating a single living cell. By controlling the temperature of the thermoresponsive gel, the gripper can be driven. The experimental results demonstrate that the gripper is capable of gripping a cell with a size of approximately 10 μm.
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Hibiki Nakajima, Yuha Koike, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Masaya Hagiwara, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: We propose a method for evaluating the local and internal elasticity of hydrogel materials by using a light-driven gel actuator to deform the inside of a sample and evaluate internal elasticity from the material's strain. This method allows for the evaluation of local and internal elasticity, which is difficult to measure with conventional methods, as the actuator can be driven by light irradiation without wiring. By comparing the strains of two samples with different elasticities, we observed that the strain of a softer sample was larger than that of a harder sample. Additionally, we estimated that the harder sample is approximately 1.3 times harder than the softer sample. Thus, we successfully evaluated the local and internal elasticities of the samples using the proposed method.
2023 IEEE 36TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MICRO ELECTRO MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, MEMS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Kyoka Nakano, Hiroki Wada, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: We propose a fabrication process of gel actuators that utilizes partial and side constraints to increase expansion rates and control actuation direction. By patterning a sacrificial layer of dextran, we are able to partially peel off the gel actuator from a substrate. Furthermore, we change the constraint location from the bottom to the side of the gel actuator by peeling it off from the substrate. Through these modifications, we successfully increase the volume and length expansion rates of the gel actuators, as well as control their actuation directions. Additionally, we demonstrate the application of this method in a mechanical stimulation device for living microorganisms.
2023 IEEE 36TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MICRO ELECTRO MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, MEMS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Kanji Kaneko, Zhitai Huang, Taku Sato, Naoto Ujikawa, Takeshi Hayakawa, Yosuke Hasegawa, Hiroaki Suzuki
Summary: In this study, a numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the vibration-induced flow (VIF) with different vibrations and micropillar cross-sections. A proposed numerical model, which directly solves the continuity and Navier-Stokes equations, shows excellent agreement with experimental results obtained by particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurement. This numerical approach can be a powerful tool for designing functional VIF systems.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yuta Tezuka, Asahi Tsujino, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: In this study, we fabricated a three-dimensional (3D) dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) using an organogel material. By pre-stretching with water pressure, we were able to drive the DEA out-of-plane. Compared to conventional DEA materials like PDMS, the organogel had a lower Young's modulus and higher relative permittivity, which increased the displacement of the DEA. Our experiments showed that the 3D DEA made of the dielectric gel generated 10 times larger displacement than that of PDMS.
2023 IEEE/SICE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SYSTEM INTEGRATION, SII
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Asahi Tsujino, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: This paper analyzes the dynamic characteristics of a balloon-type dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) prestretched by water pressure. An analytical solution based on a physical model is derived to predict the frequency response and dynamic response of the DEA. The study also investigates the dynamic responses when different electric voltages are applied to the DEA and conducts open loop control experiments to achieve desired displacement.
2023 IEEE/SICE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SYSTEM INTEGRATION, SII
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Hiroyasu Kobayashi, Yuha Koike, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: This study proposes a cell rotation method based on vibration-induced flow and successfully achieves high-speed rotation of mouse oocytes by controlling the voltage corresponding to the vibration amplitude.
2023 IEEE/SICE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SYSTEM INTEGRATION, SII
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Yuha Koike, Shunnosuke Kodera, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: The study constructed a system that allows multiple gel actuators to be driven in parallel in real time, improving the variations in their response characteristics by using intensity-homogenized patterned light, and successfully achieved real-time actuation of gel actuators with various light patterns.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Natsumi Koike, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: In this study, we evaluated the deformation shape of a balloon-type dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) that has been prestretched with water pressure. We derived analytical solutions for the deformation of the DEA based on structural mechanical models and compared the deformation shapes obtained by theoretical analysis and experimental results. The model can partially predict the deformation shape of the DEA with good accuracy, with discussions on the applicable range of the theoretical model and error relative to the experimental results.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Shunnosuke Kodera, Tomoki Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Takeshi Hayakawa
Summary: In this paper, a laser-driven micro-gelrobot is proposed, utilizing bioresist and SU-8 as soft and rigid structures, achieving peristaltic motion similar to living organisms and driven by a light absorber. The robot is fabricated using photolithography and successfully driven forward through laser scanning.
2021 IEEE/SICE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SYSTEM INTEGRATION (SII)
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Yuha Koike, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Takeshi Hayakawa
FRONTIERS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING-SWITZERLAND
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Takanori Iino, Kazunori Okano, Sang Wook Lee, Takeshi Yamakawa, Hiroki Hagihara, Zhen-Yi Hong, Takanori Maeno, Yusuke Kasai, Shinya Sakuma, Takeshi Hayakawa, Fumihito Arai, Yasuyuki Ozeki, Keisuke Goda, Yoichiroh Hosokawa