Field-controlled micro-nano manipulations and micro-nano robots

Abstract The capability to precisely manipulate a cell is invaluable in various fields, such as drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and even the investigation of new energy sources. This chapter introduces biomanipulations based on the magnetic, acoustic, and optical fields. Using magnetic fields, including permanent magnetic fields and electromagnetic fields, the high-precision motion control of a magnetic microrobot was realized (positioning accuracy of less than 1 μm) and the complete three-dimensional (3D) rotation of mammalian oocytes (orientation with an accuracy of 1 degree and an average rotation velocity of 3 rad/s). Using the acoustic field, it is possible to achieve the transportation, rotation, and capture of cells in a microfluidic chip without contact. In addition, a versatile optoelectronic tweezer platform was fabricated and an iPad-based remote-control interface was used to achieve convenient and simplified control to manipulate swimming microorganisms for the transportation of negative dielectric microparticles. The remote-control interface can be achieved by an iPad. These biological manipulation practices through external physical fields represent a useful cue for the application of micro/nano systems in cell studies.