What Is a Micromanipulator?
A micromanipulator is a device for grasping and moving objects of micro or nano order.
They require a very small gripping arm and control. Most micromanipulator products are equipped with a stage to hold the object in place, image sensors, and processing functions to perform appropriate movements based on the object’s condition or foreign matter. Micromanipulators are mainly controlled by elements that expand and contract by voltage and are capable of minute displacement.
Uses of Micromanipulators
Micromanipulators are used in medical, semiconductor, biotechnology, and particular material experiments. In medical and biotechnology applications, micromanipulators inject microscopic materials into cells and culture them for medical treatment or to observe their progress. In the field of semiconductor and special material experiments, they are used to remove and collect foreign substances and microscopic products. When selecting a micromanipulator, it is necessary to consider the order of materials that can be manipulated and the supported applications.
Principle of Micromanipulators
The principle of operation of micromanipulators is explained below. Micromanipulators consist of an actuator that manipulates the material, a measurement unit, and a control unit. The motion unit consists of an actuator that extends and retracts by a minute displacement utilizing voltage, a syringe for injecting chemicals, etc., and a tip structure for adsorbing tiny objects. The measurement section includes an image sensor to monitor the actual condition of the surface or other object to be measured and that the desired operation is being performed. The control section incorporates algorithms for controlling minute fluctuations and monitoring and controlling whether the target operation is being fulfilled.
During operation, the control section applies voltage to the actuator in response to the motion input to the control section. The actuator extends or retracts in response to the amount of voltage to perform minute, precise motion. A sensor observes the movement in the measurement section. The tip of the actuator is shaped like a micro syringe, which injects chemicals into cells, etc. The flat tip can be used to adsorb and move target substances.