Reconfigurable multi-component micromachines driven by optoelectronic tweezers

Zhang, S. et al. (2021) Reconfigurable multi-component micromachines driven by optoelectronic tweezers. Nature Communications, 12, 5349. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-25582-8) (PMID:34504081) (PMCID:PMC8429428)

Abstract

There is great interest in the development of micromotors which can convert energy to motion in sub-millimeter dimensions. Micromachines take the micromotor concept a step further, comprising complex systems in which multiple components work in concert to effectively realize complex mechanical tasks. Here we introduce light-driven micromotors and micromachines that rely on optoelectronic tweezers (OET). Using a circular micro-gear as a unit component, we demonstrate a range of new functionalities, including a touchless micro-feed-roller that allows the programming of precise three-dimensional particle trajectories, multi-component micro-gear trains that serve as torque- or velocity-amplifiers, and micro-rack-and-pinion systems that serve as microfluidic valves. These sophisticated systems suggest great potential for complex micromachines in the future, for application in microrobotics, micromanipulation, microfluidics, and beyond.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Grant Nos. RGPIN 2019-04867, CREATE 482073-16, ALLRP 548593-19, and RTI-2019-00300) and the University of Toronto’s Medicine by Design initiative, which receives funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). The research was also supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11774437 and 61975243) and Local Innovative and Research Teams Project of Guangdong Pearl River Talents Program (Grant No. 2017BT01X121)
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: LI, WEIZHEN and Neale, Professor Steven
• Authors: Zhang, S., Elsayed, M., Peng, R., Chen, Y., Zhang, Y., Peng, J., Li, W., Chamberlain, M. D., Nikitina, A., Yu, S., Liu, X., Neale, S. L., and Wheeler, A. R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Nature Communications
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2041-1723
• ISSN (Online): 2041-1723
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Nature Communications 12: 5349
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License