Manipulation and Confinement of Single Particles Using
Fluid Flow
- Publication date
- Publisher
Abstract
High precision control of micro-
and nanoscale objects in aqueous
media is an essential technology for nanoscience and engineering.
Existing methods for particle trapping primarily depend on optical,
magnetic, electrokinetic, and acoustic fields. In this work, we report
a new hydrodynamic flow based approach that allows for fine-scale
manipulation and positioning of single micro- and nanoscale particles
using automated fluid flow. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate
trapping and two-dimensional (2D) manipulation of 500 nm and 2.2 μm
diameter particles with a positioning precision as small as 180 nm
during confinement. By adjusting a single flow parameter, we further
show that the shape of the effective trap potential can be efficiently
controlled. Finally, we demonstrate two distinct features of the flow-based
trapping method, including isolation of a single particle from a crowded
particle solution and active control over the surrounding medium of
a trapped object. The 2D flow-based trapping method described here
further expands the micro/nanomanipulation toolbox for small particles
and holds strong promise for applications in biology, chemistry, and
materials research