Honeybee-inspired electrostatic microparticle manipulation system based on triboelectric nanogenerator

Electrostatic manipulation of particles or droplets has raised huge interests across many fields including biomedical analysis, microchemistry and microfabrication/patterning, because its merits simple configuration easy operation. However, traditionally applied bulky high voltage sources for electrostatic not only have potential safety risk to the operator devices, but also limit portability. Here, we proposed an microparticle system (EMMS) based on a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Inspired from pollen collection principle honeybees, EMMS featured pin-to-plate electrodes system, which was electrostatically powered by TENG. Different modes, contact noncontact were systematically studied. With sliding displacement 5 cm, TENG delivered output ± 3.2 kV, could manipulate dielectric microparticles with weights 1.7 mg, 0.9 mg 13.3 at mode, (vertical lift) (parallel move) respectively. Manipulation mechanisms both conductive under different configurations investigated. Finally, applications micropatterning, dust remove drug release/microchemistry demonstrated show great prospects TENG-based EMMS.