Micro/nanoliter droplet extraction by controlling acoustic vortex with miniwatt

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel acoustic vortex-based method using miniwatt aspirators to precisely manipulate micro/nanoliter droplets contactlessly, enabling advanced applications in microrobotics, nanoreactors, and nanoassemblies.

Contribution

It presents a new technique leveraging acoustic vortex beams and small power levels for droplet manipulation at micro and nanoscales, overcoming previous power and control challenges.

Findings

Able to produce large interface deformations with minimal radiation pressure

Achieves contactless manipulation of objects at micro and nanoscales

Potential applications in microrobotics and nanotechnology fields

Abstract

Micro/nanoliter droplet is capable of achieving versatile applications with tiny volume and substantial surface energy, which is a big plus over bulk liquid. Yet, the contradiction of elaborate manipulation and enough power is still a challenge. Here, we unleash the potential of our miniwatt aspirators pumping up liquid and creating droplets with the help of acoustic vortex beams, inspired by the power mechanism that spirals are significant for most mollusks that live in water. These droplet aspirators produce very large interface deformations by small radiation pressures with orbit angular momentum from spiral-electrode transducers. The precisely contactless manipulation of physical, chemical and biological objects at micrometric down to nanometric scales, promises tremendous development in fields as diverse as microrobotics, nanoreactors, or nanoassemblies.