Bubble-Based Systems for Propulsion and Manipulation of Micro/Nano Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The challenge of precise manipulation and propulsion of microscopic objects has energized worldwide research activity over the last decade. Self-propelled micro and nano-systems appear as a novel technology with the potential to yield breakthroughs in targeted and non-invasive biomedicine, the probing of biological media, the manipulation and assembly of biological tissues and the delivery of drugs to a specific organ, amongst other applications. The propulsion mechanism of these systems should be biocompatible and provide a high enough velocity to navigate in complex fluids and heterogeneous environments. The micro/nano propellers can be actuated by various external energy sources such as light, electric, magnetic or acoustic fields. Amongst the common carriers for designing microswimmers, bubble-based microsystems can serve as micromanipulators by adsorbing or releasing micro-objects. When used as microrobots, bubble-based systems can capture and move micro-objects, mix fluids, or be used for the assembly of microparticles, cells, or microstructures.

This Special Issue aims to focus on new trends in the mechanisms and applications of externally powered bubbles and bubble-driven flows in the propulsion and manipulation of micro- and nano-systems.

We welcome original research articles and reviews devoted to all aspects of bubble-based propellers and micromanipulators, including, but not exclusively, bubble-driven flows, self-propulsion, bubble-based propellers, micromanipulators and micro-robots, and using bubbles in drug transport and delivery.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Claude Inserra
Guest Editor

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