High-precision nanoparticle sorting using opto-thermoelectric nanotweezers integrated with microfluidics

Opto-thermoelectric nanotweezers (OTENT) have emerged as a versatile tool for nanoscale trapping and particle manipulation. Leveraging the high-throughput and large-scale trapping capabilities of OTENT, this study integrates a periodic opto-thermoelectric lattice with a microfluidic channel to achieve precise nanoparticle sorting based on size and composition. Dynamic manipulation is facilitated by the generation of periodic potential wells through holographic optical tweezers, enabling kinetically locked-in states for nanoparticles. By strategically varying the orientation of the trap array relative to an external driving force, this approach can effectively isolate nanoparticles smaller than 200nm, a size range that presents significant challenges for conventional optical techniques. This method enhances the selectivity and efficiency of nanoparticle manipulation, opening new opportunities for advancements in nanotechnology, materials science, and biomedical research.