Microassembly: A Review on Fundamentals, Applications and Recent Developments

Abstract

Microassembly platforms have attracted significant attention recently because of their potential for developing microsystems and devices for a wide range of applications. Despite their considerable potential, existing techniques are mainly used in laboratory research settings. This review provides an overview of the fundamentals, techniques, and applications of microassemblies. Manipulation techniques based on magnetic, optical, acoustic fields, and mechanical systems are discussed, and control systems that rely on machine vision and force feedback are introduced. Additionally, recent applications of microassemblies in microstructure fabrication, microelectromechanical operation, and biomedical engineering are examined. This review also highlights unmet technical demands and emerging trends, as well as new research opportunities in this expanding field of research driven by allied technologies such as microrobotics.