Simultaneous Manipulation Research Articles

Simultaneous Manipulation of Bulk Excitons and Surface Defects for Ultrastable and Highly Selective CO2 Photoreduction.

The objective of photocatalytic CO2 reduction (PCR) is to achieve high selectivity for a single energy-bearing product with high efficiency and stability. The bulk configuration usually determines charge carrier kinetics, whereas surface atomic arrangement defines the PCR thermodynamic pathway. Concurrent engineering of bulk and surface structures is therefore crucial for achieving the goal of PCR. Herein, an ultrastable and highly selective PCR using homogeneously doped BiOCl nanosheets synthesized via an inventive molten strategy is presented. With B2 O3 as both the molten salt and doping precursor, this new doping approach ensures boron (B) doping from the surface into the bulk with dual functionalities. Bulk B doping mitigates strong excitonic effects confined in 2D BiOCl by significantly reducing exciton binding energies, whereas surface-doped B atoms reconstruct the BiOCl surface by extracting lattice hydroxyl groups, resulting in intimate B-oxygen vacancy (B-OV) associates. These exclusive B-OV associates enable spontaneous CO2 activation, suppress competitive hydrogen evolution and promote the proton-coupled electron transfer step by stabilizing *COOH for selective CO generation. As a result, the homogeneous B-doped BiOCl nanosheets exhibit 98% selectivity for CO2 -to-CO reduction under visible light, with an impressive rate of 83.64µmol g-1 h-1 and ultrastability for long-term testing of 120 h.

Changes in the Foot After Two Years of Deformity Correction in Neglected Clubfeet Treated With Modified Ponseti Technique.

IntroductionNeglected clubfoot comprises clubfoot deformities with late presentation and weight-bearing on the affected foot. These deformities are stiff and need an aggressive approach for cast-based management. The modified versions of the Ponseti technique have been found effective in treating these deformities. However, these techniques’ long-term outcomes in neglected clubfoot and related correction maintenance with time progression have not been investigated. The current study aims to analyze the changes in deformity correction after a minimum of two years of follow-up in neglected clubfeet treated with a modified Ponseti method of corrective casting.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 25 patients with 38 neglected clubfeet with a mean follow-up of 37.9±4.1 months after the initial correction of the deformity. These patients were managed with a modified Ponseti technique. The modified technique incorporated simultaneous deformity manipulation before equinus correction and additional dorsiflexion manipulation after two weeks of tendo-achilles tenotomy. The Pirani and Dimeglio scores and individual deformity corrections at the final follow-up were compared with those at final cast removal.ResultsNo significant differences were observed between the initial and the final follow-up Pirani and Dimeglio scores. Concerning the deformity correction parameters, there was a significant loss in heel varus and foot abduction correction. However, the change in these parameters was small (less than 3 degrees).ConclusionThe neglected clubfoot deformity can be satisfactorily corrected with an aggressive Ponseti based corrective manipulation and casting at a low relapse rate. However, minor loss of deformity correction is noticed after two years of treatment which is not reflected in clinical scores. Therefore, a strict long-term follow-up and careful deformity assessment are required to predict the recurrence in these cases.

Community composition influences ecosystem resistance and production more than species richness or intraspecific diversity

Biodiversity describes the variety of life and may influence properties and processes of ecosystems, such as biomass production and resistance to disturbance. We investigated the effects of multiple facets of biodiversity – species richness and composition of the community, and intraspecific diversity in two key species – on both production and resistance of experimentally‐assembled biological soil crusts (biocrusts). We found that productivity was most strongly influenced by community composition (variation in the presence and relative proportions of community members), and weakly positively influenced by species richness. Intraspecific diversity, encompassing both the richness and composition of clones, had a neutral effect on community productivity within one focal species (Syntrichia caninervis), but a moderately negative effect on productivity within the other focal species (S. ruralis). Resistance was also most strongly influenced by community composition, although different sets of species contributed most to resistance and production. Resistance was not affected by either species richness or intraspecific diversity in either focal species. Our findings supported our general expectation that community‐level facets of biodiversity would be more influential than intraspecific diversity within a species because trait variability among species is usually greater than that within. These results also indicated that although species richness is often thought to strongly affect both productivity and resistance, the presence, absence and relative abundance of particular species may be more influential to both. Simultaneous manipulation of multiple facets of biodiversity in experiments may lead to a more complete understanding of the variety of ways in which biodiversity may regulate ecological systems.

Molecular-scale spatio-chemical control of the activating-inhibitory signal integration in NK cells.

The role of juxtaposition of activating and inhibitory receptors in signal inhibition of cytotoxic lymphocytes remains strongly debated. The challenge lies in the lack of tools that allow simultaneous spatial manipulation of signaling molecules. To circumvent this, we produced a nanoengineered multifunctional platform with molecular-scale spatial control of ligands, which was applied to elucidate KIR2DL1-mediated inhibition of NKG2D signaling-receptors of natural killer cells. This platform was conceived by bimetallic nanodot patterning with molecular-scale registry, followed by a ternary functionalization with distinct moieties. We found that a 40-nm gap between activating and inhibitory ligands provided optimal inhibitory conditions. Supported by theoretical modeling, we interpret these findings as a consequence of the size mismatch and conformational flexibility of ligands in their spatial interaction. This highly versatile approach provides an important insight into the spatial mechanism of inhibitory immune checkpoints, which is essential for the rational design of future immunotherapies.

Thermal Evaporation Synthesis of Vertically Aligned Zn2SnO4/ZnO Radial Heterostructured Nanowires Array.

The construction of a heterostructured nanowires array allows the simultaneous manipulation of the interfacial, surface, charge transport, and transfer properties, offering new opportunities to achieve multi-functionality for various applications. Herein, we developed facile thermal evaporation and post-annealing method to synthesize ternary-Zn2SnO4/binary-ZnO radially heterostructured nanowires array (HNA). Vertically aligned ZnO nanowires array (3.5 μm in length) were grown on a ZnO-nanoparticle-seeded, fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by a hydrothermal method. Subsequently, the amorphous layer consisting of Zn-Sn-O complex was uniformly deposited on the surface of the ZnO nanowires via the thermal evaporation of the Zn and Sn powder mixture in vacuum, followed by post-annealing at 550 °C in air to oxidize and crystallize the Zn2SnO4 shell layer. The use of a powder mixture composed of elemental Zn and Sn (rather than oxides and carbon mixture) as an evaporation source ensures high vapor pressure at a low temperature (e.g., 700 °C) during thermal evaporation. The morphology, microstructure, and charge-transport properties of the Zn2SnO4/ZnO HNA were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Notably, the optimally synthesized Zn2SnO4/ZnO HNA shows an intimate interface, high surface roughness, and superior charge-separation and -transport properties compared with the pristine ZnO nanowires array.

Incorporation of Sulfate Anions and Sulfur Vacancies in ZnIn2S4 Photoanode for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

AbstractSevere charge recombination and slow surface water oxidation kinetics seriously limit the practical application of ZnIn2S4 photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Herein, an in situ strategy to introduce sulfate (SO42−) anions and controlled bulk sulfur vacancies (Sv) into a ZnIn2S4 photoanode is developed, and its PEC performance is remarkably enhanced, achieving a photocurrent density of 3.52 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE) and negatively shifted onset potential of 0.01 VRHE in phosphate buffer without a sacrificial agent under AM 1.5G illumination. The experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations reveal that the SO42− groups enhance the oxygen evolution reaction kinetics, while bulk Sv improves the bulk carrier separation. The remarkable bulk carrier separation efficiency of 75.01% and surface carrier injection efficiency of 79.69% are achieved at 1.23 VRHE. This work provides a new route to design efficient photoanodes by the simultaneous manipulation of metal‐free anions and sulfur vacancies.

Long-term warming and elevated CO2 increase ammonia-oxidizing microbial communities and accelerate nitrification in paddy soil

Soil nitrification is a crucial process that increases nitrogen (N) availability for plants and drives nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrate (NO3−) leaching. Ongoing climate warming and elevated CO2 in the atmosphere may affect nitrification in opposite directions. However, their interactions are not known, especially in the long-term and in flooded conditions common in paddy soils. We conducted a long-term (9 years) field experiment with simultaneous manipulation of temperature (+2 °C above ambient) and CO2 (+60–100 ppm above ambient) to evaluate the impacts of warming and CO2 enrichment on the community structure, diversity, and population size of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB), soil nitrification and physico-chemical characteristics. Elevated CO2 increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content (18%), microbial biomass N (65%), and carbon (27%). These changes accompanied an increment in AOB functional-gene abundance (181%) and soil nitrification rate (96%). Elevated temperature also increased (58%) soil nitrification rate. The combination of warming and CO2 enrichment enhanced AOB gene abundance (232%) and nitrification rate (133%). Impacts of these climate change factors on nitrification strongly depended on AOB gene abundance and microbial biomass, but not on AOA abundance. Higher root C inputs by rhizodeposition and pH under these climate change factors explained the substantial increases in AOB gene abundance, as nutrient-rich and alkaline soils favor AOB growth. By contrast, the AOA community was less sensitive to these climate change factors. Community composition, diversity, and richness of nitrifiers were remarkably resilient in response to individual and interactive impacts of warming and elevated CO2. Consequently, climate change will increase AOB population size but without community restructuring and will increase nitrification in paddy soils, which enhances N availability with consequences for crop productivity, N2O emissions, and NO3− leaching.

Nuclear translocation of ASPL-TFE3 fusion protein creates favorable metabolism by mediating autophagy in translocation renal cell carcinoma.

The ASPL-TFE3 fusion gene, resulting from t(X;17)(p11.2;q25.3), is one of the most commonly identified fusion genes in Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC). However, its roles and underlying mechanism in RCC development are not yet clear. Here, we identified ASPL-TFE3 fusion as the most common tRCC subtype in a Chinese population (29/126, 23.03%). This fusion protein translocated into the nucleus and promoted RCC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the fusion protein transcriptionally activated the lysosome-autophagy pathway by binding to the promoters of lysosome-related genes. Autophagy, activated by ASPL-TFE3, enabled RCC cells to escape energy stress by promoting the utilization of proteins and lipids. Moreover, we found that the ASPL-TFE3 fusion escaped regulation by the classic mTOR-TFE3 signal and instead activated phospho-mTOR and its downstream targets. Finally, targeting both autophagy and the mTOR axis resulted in a greater antiproliferative effect than single pathway inhibition. In summary, these results confirmed the ASPL-TFE3 fusion as a master regulator of metabolic adaptation mediated by autophagy in tRCC. The simultaneous manipulation of autophagy and the mTOR axis may represent a novel treatment strategy for ASPL-TFE3 fusion RCC.

Simultaneous tuning of the magnetic anisotropy and thermal stability of alpha ^{''}-phase Fe_{16}N_{2}

Simultaneously enhancing the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (K_u) and thermal stability of alpha ^{''}-phase Fe_{16}N_{2} without inclusion of heavy-metal or rare-earth (RE) elements has been a challenge over the years. Herein, through first-principles calculations and rigid-band analysis, significant enhancement of K_u is proposed to be achievable through excess valence electrons in the Fe_{16}N_{2} unit cell. We demonstrate a persistent increase in K_u up to 1.8 MJ m^{text {-}3}, a value three times that of 0.6 MJ m^{text {-}3} in alpha ^{''}-Fe_{16}N_{2}, by simply replacing Fe with metal elements with more valence electrons (Co to Ga in the periodic table). A similar rigid-band argument is further adopted to reveal an extremely large K_u up to 2.4 MJ m^{text {-}3} in (Fe_{0.5}Co_{0.5})_{16}N_{2} obtained by replacing Co with Ni to Ga. Such a strong K_u can also be achieved with the replacement by Al, which is isoelectronic to Ga, with simultaneous improvement of the phase stability. These results provide an instructive guideline for simultaneous manipulation of K_u and the thermal stability in 3d-only metals for RE-free permanent magnet applications.

Trophic complexity alters the diversity-multifunctionality relationship in experimental grassland mesocosms.

Plant diversity has a positive influence on the number of ecosystem functions maintained simultaneously by a community, or multifunctionality. While the presence of multiple trophic levels beyond plants, or trophic complexity, affects individual functions, the effect of trophic complexity on the diversity–multifunctionality relationship is less well known. To address this issue, we tested whether the independent or simultaneous manipulation of both plant diversity and trophic complexity impacted multifunctionality using a mesocosm experiment from Cedar Creek, Minnesota, USA. Our analyses revealed that neither plant diversity nor trophic complexity had significant effects on single functions, but trophic complexity altered the diversity–multifunctionality relationship in two key ways: It lowered the maximum strength of the diversity–multifunctionality effect, and it shifted the relationship between increasing diversity and multifunctionality from positive to negative at lower function thresholds. Our findings highlight the importance to account for interactions with higher trophic levels, as they can alter the biodiversity effect on multifunctionality.

Phosphoinositides: Roles in the Development of Microglial-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration.

Microglia are increasingly recognized as vital players in the pathology of a variety of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD) disease. While microglia have a protective role in the brain, their dysfunction can lead to neuroinflammation and contributes to disease progression. Also, a growing body of literature highlights the seven phosphoinositides, or PIPs, as key players in the regulation of microglial-mediated neuroinflammation. These small signaling lipids are phosphorylated derivates of phosphatidylinositol, are enriched in the brain, and have well-established roles in both homeostasis and disease.Disrupted PIP levels and signaling has been detected in a variety of dementias. Moreover, many known AD disease modifiers identified via genetic studies are expressed in microglia and are involved in phospholipid metabolism. One of these, the enzyme PLCγ2 that hydrolyzes the PIP species PI(4,5)P2, displays altered expression in AD and PD and is currently being investigated as a potential therapeutic target.Perhaps unsurprisingly, neurodegenerative conditions exhibiting PIP dyshomeostasis also tend to show alterations in aspects of microglial function regulated by these lipids. In particular, phosphoinositides regulate the activities of proteins and enzymes required for endocytosis, toll-like receptor signaling, purinergic signaling, chemotaxis, and migration, all of which are affected in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions. These functions are crucial to allow microglia to adequately survey the brain and respond appropriately to invading pathogens and other abnormalities, including misfolded proteins. AD and PD therapies are being developed to target many of the above pathways, and although not yet investigated, simultaneous PIP manipulation might enhance the beneficial effects observed. Currently, only limited therapeutics are available for dementia, and although these show some benefits for symptom severity and progression, they are far from curative. Given the importance of microglia and PIPs in dementia development, this review summarizes current research and asks whether we can exploit this information to design more targeted, or perhaps combined, dementia therapeutics. More work is needed to fully characterize the pathways discussed in this review, but given the strength of the current literature, insights in this area could be invaluable for the future of neurodegenerative disease research.

Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Tool for Remote DNA Manipulations at a Single-Molecule Level.

Remote control of cells and single molecules by magnetic nanoparticles in nonheating external magnetic fields is a perspective approach for many applications such as cancer treatment and enzyme activity regulation. However, the possibility and mechanisms of direct effects of small individual magnetic nanoparticles on such processes in magneto-mechanical experiments still remain unclear. In this work, we have shown remote-controlled mechanical dissociation of short DNA duplexes (18-60 bp) under the influence of nonheating low-frequency alternating magnetic fields using individual 11 nm magnetic nanoparticles. The developed technique allows (1) simultaneous manipulation of millions of individual DNA molecules and (2) evaluation of energies of intermolecular interactions in short DNA duplexes or in other molecules. Finally, we have shown that DNA duplexes dissociation is mediated by mechanical stress and produced by the movement of magnetic nanoparticles in magnetic fields, but not by local overheating. The presented technique opens a new avenue for high-precision manipulation of DNA and generation of biosensors for quantification of energies of intermolecular interaction.

Event-driven enabled regression aided multi-loop control for SEC minimisation in SWRO desalination considering salinity variation

This paper addresses the energy minimised operation of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination process by simultaneous manipulation of feed pressure and reject valve opening. The specific energy consumption (SEC) analysis of SWRO desalination process for maintaining constant permeate flow during feed salinity variation is performed. The analysis is carried out to identify the suitable manipulating variables that can reduce the energy requirement for regulating permeate flow during feed salinity variation. Based on the analysis, a multi-loop control strategy using event-driven programming paradigm aided by regression based predictive model is proposed. The proposed methodology is more desirable than traditional event-driven multi-loop PID control due to smoother control transition and energy reduction. The investigation of SEC and analysis of proposed control strategy were performed using a previously validated dynamic model for SWRO desalination process. The simulation results show that the proposed methodology is superior to conventional PID control by enabling energy-minimised operation of RO process with significant reduction of feed pressure. The analysis shows that the proposed control approach reduces the feed pressure requirement by approximately 300 kPa during feed salinity variation.

Seeing through disguise: Getting to know you with a deep convolutional neural network

People use disguise to look unlike themselves (evasion) or to look like someone else (impersonation). Evasion disguise challenges human ability to see an identity across variable images; Impersonation challenges human ability to tell people apart. Personal familiarity with an individual face helps humans to see through disguise. Here we propose a model of familiarity based on high-level visual learning mechanisms that we tested using a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) trained for face identification. DCNNs generate a face space in which identities and images co-exist in a unified computational framework, that is categorically structured around identity, rather than retinotopy. This allows for simultaneous manipulation of mechanisms that contrast identities and cluster images. In Experiment 1, we measured the DCNN's baseline accuracy (unfamiliar condition) for identification of faces in no disguise and disguise conditions. Disguise affected DCNN performance in much the same way it affects human performance for unfamiliar faces in disguise (cf. Noyes & Jenkins, 2019). In Experiment 2, we simulated familiarity for individual identities by averaging the DCNN-generated representations from multiple images of each identity. Averaging improved DCNN recognition of faces in evasion disguise, but reduced the ability of the DCNN to differentiate identities of similar appearance. In Experiment 3, we implemented a contrast learning technique to simultaneously teach the DCNN appearance variation and identity contrasts between different individuals. This facilitated identification with both evasion and impersonation disguise. Familiar face recognition requires an ability to group images of the same identity together and separate different identities. The deep network provides a high-level visual representation for face recognition that supports both of these mechanisms of face learning simultaneously.

Atomic-Level Charge Separation Strategies in Semiconductor-Based Photocatalysts.

Semiconductor-based photocatalysis as a productive technology furnishes a prospective solution to environmental and renewable energy issues, but its efficiency greatly relieson the effective bulk and surface separation of photoexcited charge carriers. Exploitation of atomic-level strategies allows in-depth understanding on the related mechanisms and enables bottom-up precise design of photocatalysts, significantly enhancing photocatalytic activity. Herein, the advances on atomic-level charge separation strategies toward developing robust photocatalysts are highlighted, elucidating the fundamentals of charge separation and transfer processes and advanced probing techniques. The atomic-level bulk charge separation strategies, embodied by regulation of charge movement pathway and migration dynamic, boildownto shortening the charge diffusion distance to the atomic-scale, establishing atomic-level charge transfer channels, and enhancing the charge separation driving force. Meanwhile, regulating the in-plane surface structure and spatial surface structure are summarized as atomic-level surface charge separation strategies. Moreover, collaborative strategies for simultaneous manipulation of bulk and surface photocharges are also introduced. Finally, the existing challenges and future prospects for fabrication of state-of-the-art photocatalysts are discussed on the basis of a thorough comprehension of atomic-level charge separation strategies.

Generating arbitrary arrays of circular Airy Gaussian vortex beams with a single digital hologram

Circular Airy Gaussian vortex (CAGV) beams have gained great popularity in areas of research such as optical tweezers and optical communications due to their fascinating properties, such as auto-focusing and self-healing. The propagation dynamics of these beams is dictated by their topological charge and launch angle. For example, larger topological charges and positive launch angles enhance the maximum intensity in the focal plane while simultaneously shortening the focal length of autofocusing. Crucially, while the generation of single CAGV beams has been widely reported, the simultaneous generation of multiple CAGV beams, has remained challenging. Here, we put forward a novel technique that enables the simultaneous generation of multiple CAGV beams with independent topological charges or initial launch angles from a single digital hologram encoded on a spatial light modulator (SLM). Our technique enables the independent manipulation of each CAGV beam, their topological charge and launch angle, at refresh rates limited only by the SLM (60 Hz). This technique paves the way for the simultaneous manipulation of microparticles in three dimensions and provides with an alternative way to realize optical communications with multiple spatial modes of light.

Metal–ferroelectric supercrystals with periodically curved metallic layers

Simultaneous manipulation of multiple boundary conditions in nanoscale heterostructures offers a versatile route to stabilizing unusual structures and emergent phases. Here, we show that a stable supercrystal phase comprising a three-dimensional ordering of nanoscale domains with tailored periodicities can be engineered in PbTiO3-SrRuO3 ferroelectric-metal superlattices. A combination of laboratory and synchrotron X-ray diffraction, piezoresponse force microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy and phase-field simulations reveals a complex hierarchical domain structure that forms to minimize the elastic and electrostatic energy. Large local deformations of the ferroelectric lattice are accommodated by periodic lattice modulations of the metallic SrRuO3 layers with curvatures up to 107 m-1. Our results show that multidomain ferroelectric systems can be exploited as versatile templates to induce large curvatures in correlated materials, and present a route for engineering correlated materials with modulated structural and electronic properties that can be controlled using electric fields.

Micropart Motion on a Surface Due to Controlled Surface Excitation

Many types of devices and handling platforms are used for microscale manipulation and microassembly ranging from microgrippers for individual part handling to work surfaces equipped with discrete actuators capable of simultaneous multiple part handling and manipulation. Micropart handling using discrete actuators suffers from dead zone constraint that requires the size of the part to be larger than the gap between consecutive actuators to ensure part contact with multiple actuators at all times for proper handling. In the context of the dead zone constraint, a new micromanipulation technique was proposed in our previous work based on the concept of active deformable surface. The time-dependent deformation geometry of the micropart carrying surface is controlled by actuators rigidly attached to it. The deformation acceleration imparted by the actuators generates an inertia which, considering other parameters, can induce a motion on the micropart placed on the surface. These parameters include size, mass and material properties of the micropart and the surface roughness characteristics. This research extends our previous work of modeling micropart dynamics and motion from 1D to motion on a 2D surface. The mathematical model is developed and subsequently employed in numerical simulations to study the micropart motion and controlled translocation on the deformable active surface. The analysis allows for the identification of a feasible region of influence of the actuator, effects of surface motion characteristics, micropart convergence at particular locations and evaluation of motion characteristics. The results of this research could be advantageously employed for the development of 2D microconveyors as an integral component of microassembly platforms.

Enhanced Fe 3d delocalization and moderate spin polarization in Fe[sbnd]Ni atomic pairs for bifunctional ORR and OER electrocatalysis

Charge and spin manipulations of electrons are considered to be of great significance in boosting the catalytic activity of MNC electrocatalysts. However, to the best of our knowledge, most current studies focus only on the charge engineering, the interplay between spin and charge is not well understood, and the simultaneous manipulation of both charge and spin remains challenging. Herein, we show that the cooperative interplay between charge itineration and spin-polarization of electrons has a profound impact on the catalytic behavior through density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the first time. Following this concept, we report a Fe-Ni atomic pair as a superior bifunctional catalyst for high performance ORR and OER, with a very small potential difference (ΔE) of 0.691 V. We confirm that the coexistence of Fe 3d itinerant charge and moderate spin polarization (magnetic moment: 1.48 μB) is responsible for the superior functional catalytic activity for the FeNi atomic pairs.

Simultaneous imaging and manipulation of microparticles in horizontal and vertical planes of microchannels using a single objective lens

In this Letter, we present an experimental method that allows simultaneous imaging of microparticles in horizontal and vertical planes of a microchannel using a single objective lens to be achieved. This is done by implementing a specialized dual-prism arrangement, i.e., by placing two 67.5° right triangular prisms between the objective and the microfluidic channel. Apart from demonstrating simultaneous imaging of microparticles in orthogonal planes of a microchannel and discussing the applicability of the dual-prism configuration for efficient microchannel imaging, examples are also given for the imaging of microparticle alignment and motion in an acousto-microfluidic channel, where microparticles were found to be rapidly focused to the channel center under ultrasonic excitations. It is demonstrated here that, compared to the optical measurements using conventional microscopy, which generally can only ensure one plane of a microchannel in focus, the optical platform presented here enables more convenient and superior optical characterization of microparticles and acoustophoresis.