Atomistic modeling and rational design of optothermal tweezers for targeted applications

Three-Dimensional Optothermal Manipulation of Light-Absorbing Particles in Phase-Change Gel Media

Rational manipulation and assembly of discrete colloidal particles into architected superstructures have enabled several applications in materials science and nanotechnology. Optical manipulation techniques, typically operated in fluid media, facilitate the precise arrangement of colloidal particles into superstructures by using focused laser beams. However, as the optical energy is turned off, the inherent Brownian motion of the particles in fluid media impedes the retention and reconfiguration of such superstructures. Overcoming this fundamental limitation, we present on-demand, three-dimensional (3D) optical manipulation of colloidal particles in a phase-change solid medium made of surfactant bilayers. Unlike liquid crystal media, the lack of fluid flow within the bilayer media enables the assembly and retention of colloids for diverse spatial configurations. By utilizing the optically controlled temperature-dependent interactions between the particles and their surrounding media, we experimentally exhibit the holonomic microscale control of diverse particles for repeatable, reconfigurable, and controlled colloidal arrangements in 3D. Finally, we demonstrate tunable light-matter interactions between the particles and 2D materials by successfully manipulating and retaining these particles at fixed distances from the 2D material layers. Our experimental results demonstrate that the particles can be retained for over 120 days without any change in their relative positions or degradation in the bilayers. With the capability of arranging particles in 3D configurations with long-term stability, our platform pushes the frontiers of optical manipulation for distinct applications such as metamaterial fabrication, information storage, and security.

Highly-Adaptable Optothermal Nanotweezers for Trapping, Sorting, and Assembling across Diverse Nanoparticles

Optical manipulation of various kinds of nanoparticles is vital in biomedical engineering. However, classical optical approaches demand higher laser power and are constrained by diffraction limits, necessitating tailored trapping schemes for specific nanoparticles. They lack a universal and biocompatible tool to manipulate nanoparticles of diverse sizes, charges, and materials. Through precise modulation of diffusiophoresis and thermo-osmotic flows in the boundary layer of an optothermal-responsive gold film, highly adaptable optothermal nanotweezers (HAONTs) capable of manipulating a single nanoparticle as small as sub-10 nm are designed. Additionally, a novel optothermal doughnut-shaped vortex (DSV) trapping strategy is introduced, enabling a new mode of physical interaction between cells and nanoparticles. Furthermore, this versatile approach allows for the manipulation of nanoparticles in organic, inorganic, and biological forms. It also offers versatile function modes such as trapping, sorting, and assembling of nanoparticles. It is believed that this approach holds the potential to be a valuable tool in fields such as synthetic biology, optofluidics, nanophotonics, and colloidal science.

Multimodal Optothermal Manipulations along Various Surfaces

Optical tweezers have provided tremendous opportunities for fundamental studies and applications in the life sciences, chemistry, and physics by offering contact-free manipulation of small objects. However, it requires sophisticated real-time imaging and feedback systems for conventional optical tweezers to achieve controlled motion of micro/nanoparticles along textured surfaces, which are required for such applications as high-resolution near-field characterizations of cell membranes with nanoparticles as probes. In addition, most optical tweezers systems are limited to single manipulation modes, restricting their broader applications. Herein, we develop an optothermal platform that enables the multimodal manipulation of micro/nanoparticles along various surfaces. Specifically, we achieve the manipulation of micro/nanoparticles through the synergy between the optical and thermal forces, which arise due to the temperature gradient self-generated by the particles absorbing the light. With a simple control of the laser beam, we achieve five switchable working modes [i.e., tweezing, rotating, rolling (toward), rolling (away), and shooting] for the versatile manipulation of both synthesized particles and biological cells along various substrates. More interestingly, we realize the manipulation of micro/nanoparticles on rough surfaces of live worms and their embryos for localized control of biological functions. By enabling the three-dimensional control of micro/nano-objects along various surfaces, including topologically uneven biological tissues, our multimodal optothermal platform will become a powerful tool in life sciences, nanotechnology, and colloidal sciences.

Optical Manipulation Heats up: Present and Future of Optothermal Manipulation

Optothermal manipulation is a versatile technique that combines optical and thermal forces to control synthetic micro-/nanoparticles and biological entities. This emerging technique overcomes the limitations of traditional optical tweezers, including high laser power, photon and thermal damage to fragile objects, and the requirement of refractive-index contrast between target objects and the surrounding solvents. In this perspective, we discuss how the rich opto-thermo-fluidic multiphysics leads to a variety of working mechanisms and modes of optothermal manipulation in both liquid and solid media, underpinning a broad range of applications in biology, nanotechnology, and robotics. Moreover, we highlight current experimental and modeling challenges in the pursuit of optothermal manipulation and propose future directions and solutions to the challenges.

Optothermal rotation of micro-/nano-objects

Due to its contactless and fuel-free operation, optical rotation of micro-/nano-objects provides tremendous opportunities for cellular biology, three-dimensional (3D) imaging, and micro/nanorobotics. However, complex optics, extremely high operational power, and the applicability to limited objects restrict the broader use of optical rotation techniques. This Feature Article focuses on a rapidly emerging class of optical rotation techniques, termed optothermal rotation. Based on light-mediated thermal phenomena, optothermal rotation techniques overcome the bottlenecks of conventional optical rotation by enabling versatile rotary control of arbitrary objects with simpler optics using lower powers. We start with the fundamental thermal phenomena and concepts: thermophoresis, thermoelectricity, thermo-electrokinetics, thermo-osmosis, thermal convection, thermo-capillarity, and photophoresis. Then, we highlight various optothermal rotation techniques, categorizing them based on their rotation modes (i.e., in-plane and out-of-plane rotation) and the thermal phenomena involved. Next, we explore the potential applications of these optothermal manipulation techniques in areas such as single-cell mechanics, 3D bio-imaging, and micro/nanomotors. We conclude the Feature Article with our insights on the operating guidelines, existing challenges, and future directions of optothermal rotation.

Brownian Motion in Optical Tweezers, a Comparison between MD Simulations and Experimental Data in the Ballistic Regime

The four most popular water models in molecular dynamics were studied in large-scale simulations of Brownian motion of colloidal particles in optical tweezers and then compared with experimental measurements in the same time scale. We present the most direct comparison of colloidal polystyrene particle diffusion in molecular dynamics simulations and experimental data on the same time scales in the ballistic regime. The four most popular water models, all of which take into account electrostatic interactions, are tested and compared based on yielded results and resources required. Three different conditions were simulated: a freely moving particle and one in a potential force field with two different strengths based on 1 pN/nm and 10 pN/nm. In all cases, the diameter of the colloidal particle was 50 nm. The acquired data were compared with experimental measurements performed using optical tweezers with position capture rates as high as 125 MHz. The experiments were performed in pure water on polystyrene particles with a 1 μm diameter in special microchannel cells.

Optothermal rotation of micro-/nano-objects in liquids

Controllable rotation of micro-/nano-objects provides tremendous opportunities for cellular biology, three-dimensional (3D) imaging, and micro/nanorobotics. Among different rotation techniques, optical rotation is particularly attractive due to its contactless and fuel-free operation. However, optical rotation precision is typically impaired by the intrinsic optical heating of the target objects. Optothermal rotation, which harnesses light-modulated thermal effects, features simpler optics, lower operational power, and higher applicability to various objects. In this Feature Article, we discuss the recent progress of optothermal rotation with a focus on work from our research group. We categorize the various rotation techniques based on distinct physical mechanisms, including thermophoresis, thermoelectricity, thermo-electrokinetics, thermo-osmosis, thermal convection, and thermo-capillarity. Benefiting from the different rotation modes (i.e., in-plane and out-of-plane rotation), diverse applications in single-cell mechanics, 3D bio-imaging, and micro/nanomotors are demonstrated. We conclude the article with our perspectives on the operating guidelines, existing challenges, and future directions of optothermal rotation.

Programmable Multimodal Optothermal Manipulation of Synthetic Particles and Biological Cells

Optical manipulation of tiny objects has benefited many research areas ranging from physics to biology to micro/nanorobotics. However, limited manipulation modes, intense lasers with complex optics, and applicability to limited materials and geometries of objects restrict the broader uses of conventional optical tweezers. Herein, we develop an optothermal platform that enables the versatile manipulation of synthetic micro/nanoparticles and live cells using an ultralow-power laser beam and a simple optical setup. Five working modes (i.e., printing, tweezing, rotating, rolling, and shooting) have been achieved and can be switched on demand through computer programming. By incorporating a feedback control system into the platform, we realize programmable multimodal control of micro/nanoparticles, enabling autonomous micro/nanorobots in complex environments. Moreover, we demonstrate in situ three-dimensional single-cell surface characterizations through the multimodal optothermal manipulation of live cells. This programmable multimodal optothermal platform will contribute to diverse fundamental studies and applications in cellular biology, nanotechnology, robotics, and photonics.

Universal optothermal micro/nanoscale rotors

Rotation of micro/nano-objects is important for micro/nanorobotics, three-dimensional imaging, and lab-on-a-chip systems. Optical rotation techniques are especially attractive because of their fuel-free and remote operation. However, current techniques require laser beams with designed intensity profile and polarization or objects with sophisticated shapes or optical birefringence. These requirements make it challenging to use simple optical setups for light-driven rotation of many highly symmetric or isotropic objects, including biological cells. Here, we report a universal approach to the out-of-plane rotation of various objects, including spherically symmetric and isotropic particles, using an arbitrary low-power laser beam. Moreover, the laser beam is positioned away from the objects to reduce optical damage from direct illumination. The rotation mechanism based on opto-thermoelectrical coupling is elucidated by rigorous experiments combined with multiscale simulations. With its general applicability and excellent biocompatibility, our universal light-driven rotation platform is instrumental for various scientific research and engineering applications.

Heat-Mediated Optical Manipulation

Progress in optical manipulation has stimulated remarkable advances in a wide range of fields, including materials science, robotics, medical engineering, and nanotechnology. This Review focuses on an emerging class of optical manipulation techniques, termed heat-mediated optical manipulation. In comparison to conventional optical tweezers that rely on a tightly focused laser beam to trap objects, heat-mediated optical manipulation techniques exploit tailorable optothermo-matter interactions and rich mass transport dynamics to enable versatile control of matter of various compositions, shapes, and sizes. In addition to conventional tweezing, more distinct manipulation modes, including optothermal pulling, nudging, rotating, swimming, oscillating, and walking, have been demonstrated to enhance the functionalities using simple and low-power optics. We start with an introduction to basic physics involved in heat-mediated optical manipulation, highlighting major working mechanisms underpinning a variety of manipulation techniques. Next, we categorize the heat-mediated optical manipulation techniques based on different working mechanisms and discuss working modes, capabilities, and applications for each technique. We conclude this Review with our outlook on current challenges and future opportunities in this rapidly evolving field of heat-mediated optical manipulation.

Plasmonic Nanotweezers and Nanosensors for Point-of-Care Applications

The capabilities of manipulating and analyzing biological cells, bacteria, viruses, DNAs, and proteins at high resolution are significant in understanding biology and enabling early disease diagnosis. We discuss progress in developments and applications of plasmonic nanotweezers and nanosensors where the plasmon-enhanced light-matter interactions at the nanoscale improve the optical manipulation and analysis of biological objects. Selected examples are presented to illustrate their design and working principles. In the context of plasmofluidics, which merges plasmonics and fluidics, the integration of plasmonic nanotweezers and nanosensors with microfluidic systems for point-of-care (POC) applications is envisioned. We provide our perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in further developing and applying the plasmofluidic POC devices.

Nano-particle transport and the prediction of a valid area to be trapped based on a plasmonic antenna array

Optical antennas are promising for optical trapping and particle manipulation, when converting light between localized energy and freely propagating radiation. In this paper, we proposed a numerical method for the transport of nanoparticles using the optical force field over a plasmonic Au antenna array. The plasmonic Au antenna array is designed to produce strong near-field hot spots when illuminated by a plane wave. The hot spots function as optical traps, separately addressable by their resonant wavelengths. By changing the traps sequentially, the nanoparticles can be handed off between adjacent traps. We also demonstrated a valid area in which the nanoparticles could be trapped and transferred stably by discussing the trapping potential that particles encountered. The simulated and calculated results showed that this method had promising applications in the field of biochemical diagnoses and high-accuracy optical manipulation.

Potential Unwinding of Double-Stranded DNA upon Binding to a Carbon Nitride Polyaniline (C3N) Nanosheet

Recently, carbon nitride polyaniline (C₃N) had attracted considerable attention from many scientific fields after its successful synthesis. However, thus far, limited efforts were devoted to reveal its potential effect to biomolecules, which correlated intimately with its further utilization. In this study, by using a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approach, we investigated in detail the interaction between C₃N and a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) segment to expose the underlying biological effect of C₃N to dsDNA and the corresponding molecular basis. MD simulation results demonstrated that dsDNA presented serious damages upon adsorption onto a C₃N nanosheet with the terminal base pairs denaturized, unwound, and directly packing on the C₃N surface, which implied that C₃N was potentially deleterious to biomolecules. This binding/unwinding process was mainly guided by a combination of van der Waals and π-π stacking interactions together with a continuous lateral migration of dsDNA. Moreover, the nanoscale dewetting also played an important role during the adsorption. These findings revealed the potential bio-effect of the C₃N nanomaterial and its molecular mechanism, which might benefit the future applications of C₃N-based nanostructures.

Liquid Optothermoelectrics: Fundamentals and Applications

Liquid thermoelectricity describes the redistribution of ions in an electrolytic solution under the influence of temperature gradients, which leads to the formation of electric fields. The thermoelectric field is effective in driving the thermophoretic migration of charged colloidal particles for versatile manipulation. However, traditional macroscopic thermoelectric fields are not suitable for particle manipulations at high spatial resolution. Inspired by optical tweezers and relevant optical manipulation techniques, we employ laser interaction with light-absorbing nanostructures to achieve subtle heat management on the micro- and nanoscales. The resulting thermoelectric fields are exploited to develop new optical technologies, leading to a research field known as liquid optothermoelectrics. This Invited Feature Article highlights our recent works on advancing fundamentals, technologies, and applications of optothermoelectrics in colloidal solutions. The effects of light irradiation, substrates, electrolytes, and particles on the optothermoelectric manipulations of colloidal particles along with their theoretical limitations are discussed in detail. Our optothermoelectric technologies with the versatile capabilities of trapping, manipulating, and pulling colloidal particles at low optical power are finding applications in microswimmers and nanoscience. With its intricate interfacial processes and tremendous technological promise, optothermoelectrics in colloidal solutions will remain relevant for the foreseeable future.