Acoustic tweezers: Manipulating particles, cells, and organisms using standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW)

Summary form only given. The ability to manipulate cells and microparticles in a biocompatible and dexterous manner is critical for numerous biological studies and applications such as cell-cell communication, biosensing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Here we summarize our recent progress on an “acoustic tweezers” technique that utilizes standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) to manipulate particles, cells, and organisms. This technique is capable of manipulating cells and microparticles regardless of shape, size, charge or polarity. Its power intensity, approximately 10⁷ times lower than that of optical tweezers, compares favorably with those of other active patterning methods. Flow cytometry studies have revealed it to be noninvasive. The aforementioned advantages, along with this technique´s simple design and ability to be miniaturized, render the “acoustic tweezers” technique a promising tool for various applications in biology, chemistry, engineering, and materials science.