Motion control of protozoa for bio MEMS

Investigates whether protozoa can be treated as a living micro manipulator/actuator or not. Motion control of protozoa is made by using the negative galvanotaxis. First, a basic property test for a DC electric field showed that Paramecium could be controlled by the electrical potential gradient. By using the 8 direction carbon electrode pool (electrode distance: 4 mm, thickness: 0.2 mm), the operator can control the Paramecium to the aiming direction. Automatic motion control of protozoa was also achieved by using image processing technology and a fuzzy control method. The control method for rapid turning is also developed. To adopt this method to an automatic motion control program, Paramecium can be controlled along any shaped guide route. The actuation to rotate the micro impeller (diameter: 0.5 mm) is achieved by Paramecium. These facts show that protozoa are able to be used as a micro manipulator/actuator