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3-D manipulation of millimeter- and micro-sized objects using an acoustically excited oscillating bubble

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Abstract

This communication describes novel 3-D manipulations of objects using an acoustically excited oscillating bubble deposited on a hydrophobic rod tip. The oscillating bubble captures various millimeter- and micron-sized neighboring objects including glass and polystyrene beads (~100 μm), fish egg, and live water flea (~1 mm). The captured objects are carried in a 3-D space by traversing the bubble tip, and released at desired positions by simply turning off the oscillation. Carrying performance is characterized along with high-speed imaging of oscillating bubbles by varying the frequency and amplitude of the acoustic excitation and the carrying speed. The higher the oscillation amplitude, the higher the carrying efficiency. The maximum carrying speed is measured at over 3 mm/s. This method is effective with a low-level acoustic excitation (bubble oscillation amplitude relative to the diameter ≤5%), possibly providing a cost-effective, soft-contact manipulating tool for handling biological objects.

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Acknowledgment

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ECCS-0601470.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA

    Sang Kug Chung & Sung Kwon Cho

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  1. Sang Kug Chung
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  2. Sung Kwon Cho
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Correspondence to Sung Kwon Cho.

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Chung, S.K., Cho, S.K. 3-D manipulation of millimeter- and micro-sized objects using an acoustically excited oscillating bubble. Microfluid Nanofluid 6, 261–265 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-008-0324-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-008-0324-2

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