Power Micromachines With Light

Optical manipulation technology encompasses a suite of micromanipulation techniques that employ light to control and actuate microscopic objects. As a valuable scientific tool, optical manipulation technology is employed by researchers to investigate fundamental biological processes, examine the mechanics of microstructures, and develop innovative technologies with applications in diagnostics, imaging, and micro-scale manufacturing. The rapid development of optical manipulation technology, combined with advanced microfabrication techniques, has catalyzed the emergence of a burgeoning research domain termed optically-driven micromachinery. This rapidly expanding field has garnered significant research interest in recent years, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across advanced manufacturing, materials science, biotechnology, and micro-electromechanical systems. The capability to optically manipulate and control micromachines also opens new avenues for the development of advanced tools, sensors, and devices with enhanced functionalities, enabling the accomplishment of tasks previously considered impossible. This review presents a systematic overview of two important optical micromanipulation technologies, optical tweezers and optoelectronic tweezers, with focus on their applications in the field of optically-driven micromachinery. A comparative analysis of optical tweezers and optoelectronic tweezers is conducted, accompanied by a discussion on strategies to further enhance their performance, paving the way for the development of more advanced and powerful optically-driven micromachinery in the future.