Controlled Dynamic Assembly with Acoustic Excitation

Forming ordered structures from discrete micro components is important for many applications, such as fabrication of functional materials with specific electrical or optical properties, microelectromechanical system (MEMS), micro optoelectronics, and tissue engineering. Many technologies have been developed to create ordered structures. However, those technologies still have severe limitations. In this project, we will develop methodology for controlled dynamic assembly of micro components based on acoustic excitation. This is a potential scientific break-through for the controllability and applicability of parallel assembly, which is a large group of technologies. The research results can be used in wide range of applications, such as controlling multiple independent mobile microrobots, formation of patterns for micro printing and tissue engineering, and low cost lab-on-chip devices.