D. Wood and L. E. Dodd, “A Multipurpose Microgripper Device for Individual Cell Capture and Analysis“, Micro Matters, Spring 2015, p 15, available online.
L.E. Dodd, S.C. Ward, M.D. Cooke and D. Wood, “The static and dynamic response of SU-8 electrothermal microgrippers with varying thickness” Journal of Microelectronic Engineering, vol. 145, pp. 82-85, September 2015, DOI: 10.1016/j.mee.2015.03.028.
L.E. Dodd, S.C. Ward, M.D. Cooke and D. Wood, “The static and dynamic response of SU8 electro-thermal microgrippers of varying thickness”, Micro and Nano Engineering (MNE), Lausanne, Switzerland, 22-26 September 2014, paper P2-10-Th, p. 426. (poster presentation)
L.E. Dodd, M.D. Cooke and D. Wood, “Single Cell Manipulation using a Multifunctional Microgripper”, Regener8 Conference, Leeds, UK, 17 September 2014 (poster presentation)
L.E. Dodd, R.H. Daunton, S.C. Ward, F.W. Hamlin, A.J. Gallant, R. Kataky and D. Wood, “Single Cell Manipulation with Simultaneous Ion Sensing using a Multifunctional Microgripper“, Horizons in Human Cells, Edinburgh, 26-28 May 2014, poster P5, p 33. (poster presentation)
New Gripper Designs Successful
The new gripper designs have been processed, showing 100% yield
Microgripper on COMSOL – vertical arm deflection
In order to support undergraduate projects, a number of COMSOL Multiphysics simulations have been created to determine the accuracy of experimental results. The two main projects this year centre around the thickness of the top SU8 layer and the impact of it on the moving speed of the device, and on the manual deflection of the arms and the associated stresses within the arm. Here’s a quick animation created in COMSOL showing an arm being deflected (please click on the image for the animation to start).
This simulation was created by applying a deflection in the z direction to the end of the gripper arm, which may result in the arm being stretched, therefore a more realistic approach was sought, in the form of an applied load to the end of the arm:
As can be seen, the difference appears to be minimal, however, the y component of the displacement is indeed fixed for a set z deflection. By comparison, when applying a mass, the y deflection varies by 11 microns.
More information on the other project to follow!
Microgripper RA
As of 1st December 2013, Linzi will be working on the Durham Microgripper Project. The research explores the design, modelling, fabrication and testing of a thermoelectrically actuated microgripper for the manipulation of single cells and other biological particles. A suitable combination of conductive and polymeric materials together with the design of a highly efficient electro-thermal actuator has produced a microgripper that can be operated in air in in liquid environments without inducing electrolysis. It produces large deflections at low voltage and power. Micromanipulation experiments have successfully demonstrated the gripping, holding and positioning of a micro sized object.
Dr Linzi E. Amers-Dodd 