Laser-Induced Liquid Flow for Non-Contact Object Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical tweezers are limited in manipulating objects larger than several hundreds of micrometers, as they require high-magnification convex lenses and restricted operation due to the need for the object to be within 1 mm of the lens, limiting the movement of larger objects.
Innovation Solution
Creating a temperature gradient in a liquid by irradiating a specific surface region with laser beams, which generates a surface tension gradient and forms a liquid flow, allowing for the movement of objects up to several millimeters without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical tweezers use high-magnification convex lenses to capture fine particles, then the manipulation precision of fine particles is improved, but the maximum object size that can be manipulated is limited to several tens of micrometers or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical field-based optical tweezers mechanism with a liquid flow-based mechanical transport mechanism. Instead of using laser beams and high-magnification lenses to trap particles through optical forces, the invention uses laser-induced liquid flow to physically transport objects. This substitution allows millimeter-sized objects to be manipulated without the size constraints of optical trapping, while maintaining non-contact operation through the liquid medium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces liquid as an intermediary medium between the laser beam and the object to be manipulated. The laser beam heats the liquid, creating temperature gradients and surface tension gradients that drive liquid flow. This liquid flow then transports the object. The liquid acts as a mediator that converts optical energy into mechanical transport, enabling manipulation of larger objects that cannot be directly trapped by optical forces alone
2Force
If optical tweezers require the object to be within 1 mm of the lens, then the trapping force is sufficient, but the operational flexibility and degree of freedom are greatly restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the laser beam from direct contact with the object, using it only to heat the liquid medium. The laser beam no longer needs to be focused directly on the object through high-magnification lenses, eliminating the need for the object to be within 1 mm of the lens. The trapping function is replaced by liquid flow transport, allowing objects to be manipulated at various distances and positions with greater operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses liquid flow (hydraulic principle) to transport objects instead of direct optical trapping. By controlling the liquid flow through laser-induced heating patterns, objects can be moved to various positions without requiring close proximity to the laser source. This hydraulic transport mechanism provides greater ease of operation and positional flexibility compared to optical tweezers
3Ease of operation
If optical tweezers use laser beams to trap fine particles, then non-contact manipulation is achieved, but the maximum manipulable object size is limited to fine particles of several tens of micrometers or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical trapping mechanics with liquid flow-based mechanical transport. Instead of relying on optical forces that only effectively act on particles much smaller than the wavelength of light, the invention uses laser-heated liquid flow to physically carry objects. This allows millimeter-sized objects to be manipulated non-contactly through the liquid medium, expanding the size range while maintaining the non-contact advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manipulation mechanism from direct optical forces to indirect thermal-fluid forces. By using laser heating to create temperature gradients in the liquid, which then generate surface tension gradients and flow, the system can manipulate objects of various sizes including millimeter-scale objects. This parameter change from optical to thermal-fluid coupling enables non-contact manipulation of larger objects
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the non-invasive and non-contact manipulation of larger objects by forming a liquid flow that can move objects several hundreds of micrometers to several millimeters in size, enhancing the operational flexibility of optical tweezers.
Implementation Method 1
fine particles contained in the specific surface region of the liquid absorb the irradiated light beams so that a temperature of the specific surface region is high relative to that of other surface region
Implementation Method 2
a temperature of the specific surface region is high relative to that of other surface region around the specific surface region to form a temperature gradient
Implementation Method 3
thereby to form a surface tension gradient of the liquid in the surface region of the liquid, whereby a flow of the liquid (that is, a liquid flow) is formed in the surface region of the liquid
Implementation Method 4
form a temperature gradient between both surface regions of the liquid. When the temperature gradient is thus formed in the surface of the liquid, a surface tension gradient is formed correspondingly to the temperature gradient, which results in that an amount of the liquid flows from the specific surface region at a high temperature toward said other surface region at the relatively low temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for forming a liquid flow in a surface region of a liquid, and a method for moving a larger object in a non-contact and non-invasive manner.