Achieving the great ambitions of utilizing tiny entities—such as molecules, viruses, and nanoparticles—as fundamental building blocks to create vital macromolecules and materials is a significant objective within the scientific community, similar to building intricate structures with Lego. However, realizing this vision entails overcoming significant hurdles.
Molecules in liquid environments move randomly and at astonishing speeds—about 40 times faster than Usain Bolt at his peak—rendering precise manipulation extremely difficult.
To tackle these challenges, nanofluidic devices have emerged as a revolutionary solution. These cutting-edge instruments feature ultra-narrow channels, comparable in width to individual nanoscale objects, and utilize nanofluidic processes—such as trapping mechanisms—to dampen random motion and facilitate accurate manipulation. This advancement enables researchers to effectively transport and control individual nanoscale entities, from viruses to DNA and single small molecules, with remarkable precision.
building blocks to construct essential macromolecules and materials, nanofluidic devices break through the barriers of nanoscale handling, opening the door to groundbreaking developments in science, engineering, and industry.
In an insightful review, Associate Professor Yan Xu and Dr. Nattapong Chantipmanee from Osaka Metropolitan University‘s Graduate School of Engineering, who are at the forefront of “nanofluidic manipulation,” delve into the transformative possibilities of these devices for interacting with individual nanometric objects. Their article emphasizes the pivotal technologies propelling this new field forward, including nanofluidic processing, functional integration, and meticulous fluidic control.
By connecting a variety of disciplines through innovative nanofluidic techniques, the authors have set the stage for practical applications that far exceed current scientific capabilities.
The researchers tackle key obstacles, such as precisely controlling molecules in solution and seamlessly integrating nanofluidic devices with other technologies like optical and magnetic forces. These developments will pave the way for the emergence of molecular robotics.
The possible combination of these technologies with data science and artificial intelligence has the potential to instigate a significant change, transforming areas like chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and information processing.
Moreover, the manipulation of nanofluids also promotes the creation of faster, more energy-efficient systems, driving progress in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. These advancements may lead to the formation of new industries, impact future technologies, and reshape the realms of science and engineering.
“I’m thrilled that every experiment uncovers new and exciting behaviors at nanoscale levels,” said Dr. Chantipmanee.
“Nanofluidic devices hold immense promise as revolutionary tools for the precise manipulation of small objects within the nanoscale world. I hope our work ignites curiosity and encourages more researchers to contribute to this emerging field,” Professor Xu added.
Through their visionary insights and pioneering efforts, Professor Xu and Dr. Chantipmanee are influencing the development of nanofluidic devices, paving the way for these technologies to become essential.
Journal reference:
- Nattapong Chantipmanee, Yan Xu. Nanofluidic Manipulation of Single Nanometric Objects: Current Progress, Challenges, and Future Opportunities. Engineering, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2024.08.021
