Recent advances in mechanical micro- and nanomanipulation

Abstract

In order to achieve an accurate positioning for an investigation of micro- or nano objects or to operate with them in micro or nanoscale, modern and sophisticated tools are required. Over the past years of the development of micro- and nanomanipulation tools, novel types were invented, or old ones were upgraded. Those tools such as microgrippers, microrobots for micromanipulation and piezoelectric actuators for nanomanipulation with visual monitoring using atomic force microscopy (AFM) are implemented in nowadays research. In this article different types and tools of micro- and nanomanipulation, the design of micro- or nanomanipulation devices, the environment for work with, and the development process are described. Furthermore, the comparison of different types of micromanipulation and, separately, of nanomanipulation are provided.