Optofluidics and Optoelectronic Tweezers

Optofluidics is the process of integrating the capabilities of optical and fluidic systems to achieve novel functionalities that can benefit from both. Among the novel capabilities that an optical system can bring to the table is the ability to manipulate objects of interest in a liquid media. In the case of biological samples, the objects of interest consist mainly of cells and viruses, whereas in applications such as nanoelectronics, manipulation of nanoparticles is of interest. In recent years, optoelectronic tweezers (OET) has emerged as a powerful technique for manipulation of microscopic particles such as polystyrene beads, cells, and other biological samples and nanoscopic objects such as nanowires. In this paper, we will focus mostly on recent advances in the optoelectronic tweezers technology, including characterization of optoelectronic tweezers operational regimes, manipulation of biological samples such as cells in highconductivity physiological solutions with translation speeds higher than 30 μm/s , manipulation of air bubbles in silicone oil media with speeds up to 1.5 mm/s , and exploring the limits on the smallest particle that OET is capable of trapping. These advances all contribute immensely to the functionalities of OET as an optofluidic system.