Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a novel laser-based method that can be used to rotate sensitive microscopic objects such as cells or cell components in all three spatial directions without contact. The technology enables much more accurate 3D images and protects the samples.

The team led by Professor Moritz Kreysing and Dr. Fan Nan from the Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems uses a laser to generate targeted, minimal temperature differences in the surrounding liquid. This creates fine currents that allow the free-floating sample to move and rotate smoothly – without any mechanical contact from pipettes, needles or grippers.

While previous laser-induced flows only allowed movements in one plane, the researchers have now succeeded in realizing controlled rotations in three-dimensional space. Rapid scanning with the laser creates a helical flow that rotates the object as if in a gentle vortex.

The new method is particularly relevant for basic medical research and the study of living cells. Previous microscope images provide high-resolution images in one plane, but they are often inaccurate at depth. By rotating the sample in a targeted manner, structures can be captured from different angles and assembled into precise 3D models.

Professor Moritz Kreysing explained that samples can be aligned more precisely and thus more details become visible. This is a central prerequisite for a better understanding of biological structures and processes. In the long term, the technology could also be interesting for contactless micromanipulation, microscopic robotics or precise manufacturing processes on a very small scale.

The study has been published in the journal Light: Science & Applications .

Original Paper:

Helical opto-thermoviscous flows drive out-of-plane rotation and particle spinning in a highly viscous micro-environment | Light: Science & Applications

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