On-chip multimodal vortex trap micro-manipulator with multistage bi-helical micro-swimmer

Abstract

As recent developments in microrobotics open new fields of possibilities, micro robots are intended to be increasingly used in many fields. One of them is the possibility to work and study matter at microscopic scale without damaging their environment. This can be potentially useful in biological and medical field for precise non-intrusive work. Relying on last micro-robotic development and hydrodynamic manipulation and trapping we propose a multi-tasking bi-helical multistage micro-swimmer designed to generate local vortices for the manipulation and trapping of micro-particles in microfluidic working environment as a first step towards a new biocompatible non-contact micro-manipulator. With two motion modes and four manipulation modes, our design demonstrate his capacity to make long term transport and precise local manipulation and patterning of micro-particles of different sizes and matters.