Bio-syncretic tweezer: 3D manipulator actuated by microorganisms

Advancement in micro/nano-technology has improved the development of bio-syncretic micro-manipulators. But there are still some challenges including the efficiency, precision and flexibility that constrain the application of micro-manipulators. In this work, a bio-tweezer system is proposed that could flexibly manipulate micro objects in three dimensions with opto-induced bio-actuation by high-density microorganisms. Based on the Langevin equation, a mathematical model considering the hydrodynamics and similar Brownian motion principle was proposed to analyze the performance of manipulation, and, was verified by implementing the experiments to move micro particles in the two-dimension plane and to rotate asymmetrical objects around one axis. This work is helpful for quantitative understanding of micro/nano-manipulation actuated by microorganisms.