Micromanipulation System Design Based on Selective Actuation Mechanisms

A microgripper using piezoelectric actuation for micro-object manipulation

Design, fabrication and tests of a monolithic compliant-flexure-based microgripper were performed. The geometry design and the material tresses were considered through the finite element analysis. The simulation model was used to study in detail profiles of von Mises stresses nd deformation. The maximum stress in the microgripper is much smaller than the critical stress values for fatigue. The ...

Vision-assisted micromanipulation using closed-loop actuation of multiple microrobots

Accurate control and precise positioning of opto-thermocapillary flow-addressed bubble microrobots are necessary for micromanipulation. In addition, micromanipulation using the simultaneous actuation of multiple microrobots requires a robust control system to enable independent motion. This paper demonstrates a hybrid closed-loop vision-assisted control system capable of actuating multiple micr...

Gearing up for optical microrobotics: micromanipulation and actuation of synthetic microstructures by optical forces

Temperature regulation during ultrasonic manipulation for long-term cell handling in a microfluidic chip

We demonstrate simultaneous micromanipulation and temperature regulation by the use of ultrasonic standing wave technology in a microfluidic chip. The system is based on a microfabricated silicon structure sandwiched between two glass layers, and an external ultrasonic transducer using a refractive wedge placed on top of the chip for efficient coupling of ultrasound into the microchannel. The c...

Integrated IPMC/PVDF sensory actuator and its validation in feedback control

Position and/or force feedback is critical in ensuring precise and safe operation of ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) actuators in io/micromanipulation. In this paper the design of an integrated sensory actuator is presented, where polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films re used to provide simultaneous feedback of bending and force outputs of the IPMC actuator. The design adopts differential c...