Abstract
This paper reports a monolithic, force-feedback MEMS (microelectomechanical systems) microgripper and its application to micro-scale compression testing of swollen hydrogel microcapsules at wet state during manipulation. The single-chip microgripper integrates an electrothermal microactuator and two capacitive force sensors, one for contact detection (force resolution: 38.5 nN) and the other for gripping force measurements (force resolution: 19.9 nN). With the capability of resolving gripping forces down to 19.9 nN and material deformations with a 20.5 nm resolution, the system quantified Young’s modulus values and viscoelastic parameters of alginate microcapsules (15–25 μm), demonstrating an easy-to-operate, accurate compression testing technique for characterizing soft, micrometer-sized biomaterials.
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This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation.
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Kim, K., Liu, X., Zhang, Y. et al. Elastic and viscoelastic characterization of microcapsules for drug delivery using a force-feedback MEMS microgripper. Biomed Microdevices 11, 421–427 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-008-9248-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-008-9248-6