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<p>Reconfigurability and autonomous mobility are critical for micro/nanorobot systems to perform complex tasks. Here, we propose a synergistic optoelectric control strategy based on an optoelectronic tweezers (OET) platform, which enables the controllable assembly and disassembly of heterogeneous microparticles through electric field induced dipole interactions and electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flows. We find that the assembled structures exhibit stable self-propulsion and can move directionally along the boundaries of optical patterns. This self-propulsion arises from the asymmetric shadow effect induced by top illumination, which generates a lateral dielectrophoretic (DEP) driving force. Notably, the self-propulsion velocity shows an anomalous non-monotonic dependence on the AC frequency. By incorporating DEP levitation and microlens focusing effects, we further elucidate the physical mechanism. At low frequencies, increased levitation height expands the focused light spot beneath the polystyrene (PS) microparticles, reducing the shadow asymmetry below the metal microparticles and consequently weakening the lateral DEP force. Furthermore, by combining dynamic optical patterns with electric field modulation, multilevel reconfiguration of multi-particle clusters is achieved. This strategy effectively couples reconfigurable assembly with autonomous propulsion, providing a versatile pathway for the development of intelligent and modular microrobotic systems.</p><p></p>

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Reconfigurable assembly, disassembly, and self-propulsion of microparticles via optoelectronic tweezers

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月22日

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  • Ao Wang,
  • Ziyi Wang,
  • Wenyan Niu,
  • Caiding Ni,
  • Shunxiao Huang,
  • Chutian Wang,
  • Menglu Tan,
  • Lingze Zhang,
  • Lin Feng

摘要

Reconfigurability and autonomous mobility are critical for micro/nanorobot systems to perform complex tasks. Here, we propose a synergistic optoelectric control strategy based on an optoelectronic tweezers (OET) platform, which enables the controllable assembly and disassembly of heterogeneous microparticles through electric field induced dipole interactions and electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flows. We find that the assembled structures exhibit stable self-propulsion and can move directionally along the boundaries of optical patterns. This self-propulsion arises from the asymmetric shadow effect induced by top illumination, which generates a lateral dielectrophoretic (DEP) driving force. Notably, the self-propulsion velocity shows an anomalous non-monotonic dependence on the AC frequency. By incorporating DEP levitation and microlens focusing effects, we further elucidate the physical mechanism. At low frequencies, increased levitation height expands the focused light spot beneath the polystyrene (PS) microparticles, reducing the shadow asymmetry below the metal microparticles and consequently weakening the lateral DEP force. Furthermore, by combining dynamic optical patterns with electric field modulation, multilevel reconfiguration of multi-particle clusters is achieved. This strategy effectively couples reconfigurable assembly with autonomous propulsion, providing a versatile pathway for the development of intelligent and modular microrobotic systems.