Acoustic Tweezers use resonance to manipulate matter. This involves creating a standing wave that can apply physical force. The team was able to achieve a very fine degree of control using minimal acoustic pressure. Using this technique, they were able to manipulate cells into complex patterns. They were capable of trapping cells at predetermined positions and, by using the ability to switch phase, and operate different sets of transducers, generated complex cellular patterns. Compared to other methods such as laser guided direct writing, the new device has the advantage of being small, electronically controlled, flexible in the patterning and can be easily integrated with standard microscopy equipment. So far, the technique has only been tested in a lab setting in two dimensions, but those tests demonstrated that the technique works -- and that the cellular matrix continued to grow in the established pattern, even once the acoustic forces had been removed. The next step is to attempt the technique in three dimensions -- an accomplishment that could enable the creation of a device that could repair nerve damage in living humans.
Posted on: Sat, 17 May 2014 18:27:34 +0000
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