The extension of robotic manipulation techniques to the small scale has sparked tremendous research activities in the last two decades. Novel robotic systems and manipulation strategies have been developed for manipulation of micrometer- and nanometer-sized objects such as biological cells, small organisms, and nanomaterials, and have been applied to solving pressing problems in a wide range of disciplines such as biology, medicine, materials science, nanoelectronics, and micro/nano-device industries. For instance, robotic micromanipulation systems, integrated with MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) end-effectors and sample preparation micro-devices, have enabled automated manipulation of biological cells for basic biological studies and practical medical applications. Robotic nanomanipulation systems, assisted by nanoscale imaging facilities (e.g., atomic force and electron microscopes), are now capable of maneuvering objects in the (sub-)nanometer size range, opening up new venues of applications such as nanomaterial characterization and nano-device construction.
This Special Session is to set up a regular forum at the IEEE-CASE Conference for presenting the recent advances in robotic micro and nanomanipulation. The research topics of interest include, but not limited to:
- Design and implementation of new robotic micro and nanomanipulation systems
- Modeling and control of robotic micro and nanomanipulation systems
- Novel actuation methodologies (e.g., bacteria-based actuation) for robotic micro and nanomanipulation
- Enabling MEMS tools (end-effectors and positioners) for robotic micro and nanomanipulation
- Nanopositioning technologies for robotic micro and nanomanipulation
- New applications of robotic micro and nanomanipulation