Parallel actuation of multiple bubble microrobots in saline solution in an open reservoir

摘要

Eight opto-thermocapillary flow-addressed bubble (OFB) microrobots were independently actuated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in an open reservoir. The bubble microrobots were nucleated using opto-thermal heating of the fluid medium and independently controlled by a computer-generated holographic (CGH) control system. Independent actuation of multiple microrobots in PBS solution demonstrates the capability of the system to perform tasks such as cell-laden microgel assembly with increased throughput. This work also shows this microrobotic system is compatible with a conventional open-reservoir cell-culturing environment.