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Micromachines
Volume 16
Issue 6
10.3390/mi16060633
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

A Novel Variable Volume Capillary Microgripper for Micromanipulation in Aqueous Media

by
Enrique Mancha-Sánchez
*,
Andrés J. Serrano-Balbontín
,
Inés Tejado
* and
Blas M. Vinagre
Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Micromachines 2025, 16(6), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16060633
Submission received: 25 April 2025 / Revised: 22 May 2025 / Accepted: 24 May 2025 / Published: 27 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complex Fluid Flows in Microfluidics)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study presents a novel capillary microgripper for manipulating micrometer-sized objects directly within aqueous environments. The system features dynamic, vision-based feedback control of a non-volatile silicone oil droplet volume, enabling precise adjustment of the capillary bridge force for the adaptable capture of varying object sizes. This approach ensures extended working time and stable operation in water, mitigating the issues associated with evaporation common in other systems. COMSOL Multiphysics simulations analyzed capillary bridge formation. Experimental validation demonstrated successful different object shapes and sizes capture in an aqueous environment and further explored active release strategies necessary due to the non-volatile fluid, confirming the system potential for robust underwater micromanipulation.
Keywords: capillary microgripper; micromanipulation; aqueous environment; variable volume; silicone oil; image-based control; two-photon polymerization; surface tension capillary microgripper; micromanipulation; aqueous environment; variable volume; silicone oil; image-based control; two-photon polymerization; surface tension

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MDPI and ACS Style

Mancha-Sánchez, E.; Serrano-Balbontín, A.J.; Tejado, I.; Vinagre, B.M. A Novel Variable Volume Capillary Microgripper for Micromanipulation in Aqueous Media. Micromachines 2025, 16, 633. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16060633

AMA Style

Mancha-Sánchez E, Serrano-Balbontín AJ, Tejado I, Vinagre BM. A Novel Variable Volume Capillary Microgripper for Micromanipulation in Aqueous Media. Micromachines. 2025; 16(6):633. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16060633

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mancha-Sánchez, Enrique, Andrés J. Serrano-Balbontín, Inés Tejado, and Blas M. Vinagre. 2025. "A Novel Variable Volume Capillary Microgripper for Micromanipulation in Aqueous Media" Micromachines 16, no. 6: 633. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16060633

APA Style

Mancha-Sánchez, E., Serrano-Balbontín, A. J., Tejado, I., & Vinagre, B. M. (2025). A Novel Variable Volume Capillary Microgripper for Micromanipulation in Aqueous Media. Micromachines, 16(6), 633. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16060633

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