Design of cell microgripper and actuation strategy

The analysis of the mechanical properties of cells is a field of great interest both in medicine and biology because it becomes fundamental each time it is necessary to recognize and prevent some diseases causing alterations in cellular behaviour and resistance. Biological Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (Bio-MEMS) allow the application of extremely small and precise forces increasing, as a consequence, the number of results possible per experiment and the number of experiments that can be performed simultaneously. The aim of our work is to present a microgripper for single-cell manipulation and to detect the best structure design for keeping the cell and the integrated strategy for its actuation. Specifications and targets impose several limitations and difficulties in micro manipulators design and these obstacles are even more important when the target of microgripping are biological particles (e.g. living cells). The main parameters that have to be taken into account while designing a cell micromanipulator are, aside from its actuation principle, its kinematics, its fingertips shape, its releasing strategy and its material biocompatibility. Both thermal and piezoelectric actuation strategies are investigated in order to understand their main advantages and limitations related, for example, to motion range, hysteresis, thermal stability and insulation, high temperature and high voltage; all these parameters have to be considered to ensure the cell’s integrity during its micromanipulation.