Various micro/nano robotic techniques for cell measurement and manipulation robots have been studied, and the applications and user requirements for the proposed MNR4SCell technologies have been defined and implemented. Different micro/nano robotics and automation techniques have been reviewed. The sensing and actuation techniques for cell manipulation and measurement have been developed. The advanced knowledge for measurement and characterisation of single live cells has been studied. AFM-based nanorobotics provide a powerful method for the live cell characterisation, and double probe nanorobot provide more flexibility and manoeuvrability for cell measurement, characterisation and handling. The optical tweezers can also be utilized for the handling of live cells without mechanical contacts, which provides a number of advantages including non-invasion and label free handling. The magnetic nanoparticle manipulation method using magnetic force microscope has also been investigated for the improvement of manipulation success rate. The human-robot interface techniques have also been developed to control the micro/nano robots and automate the operation procedure and thus increase manipulation accuracy and success rate.
The techniques for key components of micro/nano robotics have explored. A number of micro/nano positioning stages and grippers have been developed for the improvement of positioning accuracy, speed and flexibility which are the crucial requirements for the high precision and high efficiency handling and manipulation. Electrodes with several defined patterns have been achieved by laser interference lithography direct writing and electron beam lithography. The broad modular range nanomechanical mapping AFM has been developed for measurement and characterisation of cells and soft materials. This approach can be particularly useful for analysing heterogeneous samples with large elastic modulus variations in multi-environments. In situ monitoring of the nanomechanical properties of cancer cells has been studied using the developed AFM technique. In-situ quantification the complex poisson’s ratio of single cells have been investigated using a magnetic bead probe based nanomechanical spectroscopy. AFM-based nanoindentation for cell mechanical property measurement has also established to explore the influence of different drugs for the cancer cell therapy. Different mobile micro/nano robots driven by magnetic forces have been developed for the drug delivery and treatment. The Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy has been developed and utilized for the cell topography and electric property measurement.
Micro/nano robotics and their applications in cancer therapy have significant potentials for commercial exploitation. Till now, there are 7 patents applications have been filed. We have put more efforts on the dissemination and exploitation of the project achievements e.g. workshops, seminars, and conferences. Especially, through the industrial partner’s contribution, the further exploitation of the developed techniques has been implemented to benefit the end-users. Based on the research achievement and outcomes, a spin-off company 'Changli Nano-Biology Ltd’ has been establihsed for the production of atomic force microscopy and applications in biology.
