Selective weighing of individual microparticles using a hybrid micromanipulator-nanomechanical resonator system

We report a system for selecting, placing, and weighing individual micro-scale particles that is based on combination of a micromanipulator and a cantilever-based differential resonator. Instead of relying on probabilistic attachment of particles on sensor surfaces, the system can specifically select and weigh individual micro-entities. The micromanipulator is able to move particles from a native media to the surface of a resonator which can weigh particles with a 2 pg resolution. The system allows individual manipulating and weighing a wide variety of entities that can be visualized under a microscope, ranging from cell spheres to spore clusters to microparticles.