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Massively Multiplexed Submicron Particle Patterning in Acoustically Driven Oscillating Nanocavities
Author(s) -
Tayebi Mahnoush,
O'Rorke Richard,
Wong Him Cheng,
Low Hong Yee,
Han Jongyoon,
Collins David J.,
Ai Ye
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.202000462
Subject(s) - materials science , nanoscopic scale , particle (ecology) , microfluidics , wavelength , acoustic streaming , nanotechnology , surface acoustic wave , optical force , acoustic wave , nanoparticle , optoelectronics , acoustics , optical tweezers , optics , ultrasonic sensor , physics , oceanography , geology
Nanoacoustic fields are a promising method for particle actuation at the nanoscale, though THz frequencies are typically required to create nanoscale wavelengths. In this work, the generation of robust nanoscale force gradients is demonstrated using MHz driving frequencies via acoustic‐structure interactions. A structured elastic layer at the interface between a microfluidic channel and a traveling surface acoustic wave (SAW) device results in submicron acoustic traps, each of which can trap individual submicron particles. The acoustically driven deformation of nanocavities gives rise to time‐averaged acoustic fields which direct suspended particles toward, and trap them within, the nanocavities. The use of SAWs permits massively multiplexed particle manipulation with deterministic patterning at the single‐particle level. In this work, 300 nm diameter particles are acoustically trapped in 500 nm diameter cavities using traveling SAWs with wavelengths in the range of 20–80 µm with one particle per cavity. On‐demand generation of nanoscale acoustic force gradients has wide applications in nanoparticle manipulation, including bioparticle enrichment and enhanced catalytic reactions for industrial applications.