Rotational manipulation of paramecium using a semi-capsule-shaped bubble with an adjustable volume actuated by acoustic waves

Abstract

Acoustically actuated bubbles provide a versatile and non-invasive approach for manipulating microorganisms in fluid. However, the susceptibility of the bubble volume to environment and the complex intersecting vortices of the oscillation of hemispherical bubbles reduce the stability of micromanipulation of ellipsoid-like organisms. This study involves an on-chip rotational manipulation device for rotating ellipsoid-like organisms, which utilizes parallel microstreaming vortices that are generated with acoustically actuated semi-capsule-shaped bubbles. In addition, a relatively stable volume of the semi-capsule-shaped bubble with tolerances about 5 % is realized by adjusting the gas diffusion between the bubble and the gas channel. Characterized experiments using polystyrene particles of 10 μm demonstrate that two pairs of significant out-of-plane parallel microstreaming vortices can be generated near the short or long side of a semi-capsule-shaped bubble at acoustic driving frequencies of 11.23 kHz and 13.97 kHz, respectively. The vortices effectively induce rotation both for the spherical particles and the ellipsoid-like paramecia in fluid. Compared to oscillating hemispherical bubbles, acoustically actuated semi-capsule-shaped bubbles offer a more stable attitude of the rotation axis and even rotation velocity for paramecia. The acoustically actuated semi-capsule-shaped bubbles offer a label-free method for rotational manipulation of ellipsoid-like organisms, characterized by good stability, adaptability, and biocompatibility.