{"title":"Thermo-optical tweezers based on photothermal waveguides.","authors":"Fuwang Li, Jian Wei, Xiaomei Qin, Xue Chen, Dawei Chen, Wentao Zhang, Jiaguang Han, Libo Yuan, Hongchang Deng","doi":"10.1038/s41378-024-00757-7","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Field-controlled micromanipulation represents a pivotal technique for handling microparticles, yet conventional methods often risk physical damage to targets. Here, we discovered a completely new mechanism for true noncontact manipulation through photothermal effects, called thermal-optical tweezers. We employ a laser self-assembly photothermal waveguide (PTW) for dynamic microparticle manipulation. This waveguide demonstrates superior photothermal conversion and precision control, generating a nonisothermal temperature field. The interaction of thermal convection and thermophoresis within this field creates a microfluidic potential well, enabling noncontact and nondestructive particle manipulation. By varying the path of PTWs in lithography and manipulating laser loading modes, diverse manipulation strategies, such as Z-shaped migration, periodic oscillation, and directional transport, are achievable. Our innovative noninvasive micromanipulation technology minimizes not only physical damage to target objects but also enables precise and diverse manipulation of micro entities, opening up new avenues for the photothermal control of cells and biomolecules.</p>","PeriodicalId":18560,"journal":{"name":"Microsystems & Nanoengineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11368956/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Microsystems & Nanoengineering","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-024-00757-7","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"INSTRUMENTS & INSTRUMENTATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Field-controlled micromanipulation represents a pivotal technique for handling microparticles, yet conventional methods often risk physical damage to targets. Here, we discovered a completely new mechanism for true noncontact manipulation through photothermal effects, called thermal-optical tweezers. We employ a laser self-assembly photothermal waveguide (PTW) for dynamic microparticle manipulation. This waveguide demonstrates superior photothermal conversion and precision control, generating a nonisothermal temperature field. The interaction of thermal convection and thermophoresis within this field creates a microfluidic potential well, enabling noncontact and nondestructive particle manipulation. By varying the path of PTWs in lithography and manipulating laser loading modes, diverse manipulation strategies, such as Z-shaped migration, periodic oscillation, and directional transport, are achievable. Our innovative noninvasive micromanipulation technology minimizes not only physical damage to target objects but also enables precise and diverse manipulation of micro entities, opening up new avenues for the photothermal control of cells and biomolecules.
场控微操作是处理微颗粒的关键技术,但传统方法往往会对目标造成物理损伤。在这里,我们发现了一种通过光热效应实现真正非接触操纵的全新机制,即热光学镊子。我们采用激光自组装光热波导(PTW)来实现微颗粒的动态操控。这种波导具有卓越的光热转换和精确控制能力,能产生非等温温度场。该场中热对流和热泳的相互作用产生了一个微流体势阱,从而实现了非接触和无损粒子操纵。通过改变光刻中 PTW 的路径和操纵激光加载模式,可以实现多种操纵策略,如 Z 型迁移、周期性振荡和定向传输。我们的创新型非侵入式微操纵技术不仅能最大限度地减少对目标物体的物理损伤,还能实现对微型实体的精确和多样化操纵,为细胞和生物分子的光热控制开辟了新途径。
期刊介绍:
Microsystems & Nanoengineering is a comprehensive online journal that focuses on the field of Micro and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS and NEMS). It provides a platform for researchers to share their original research findings and review articles in this area. The journal covers a wide range of topics, from fundamental research to practical applications. Published by Springer Nature, in collaboration with the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and with the support of the State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, it is an esteemed publication in the field. As an open access journal, it offers free access to its content, allowing readers from around the world to benefit from the latest developments in MEMS and NEMS.