Acoustic Assembly and Fabrication

Modern rapid fabrication technologies based on additive layering are inherently slow. We are working on the instant assembly of an entire object in “one shot”. The idea is to use ultrasound to assemble particles and cells into the shape of the object. For this we exploit the acoustic hologram technology with which we are able to generate very high-fidelity acoustic fields.

This research project revolves around optimizing the way we can use acoustic radiation forces to manipulate particles and also assemble particles into complex shapes. We have already successfully shown the 2D assembly of particles and cells. We are working on the computation, technology and experimental realization to form more complex objects.

“Spatial ultrasound modulation by digitally controlling microbubble arrays”, Z. Ma, K. Melde, A.G. Athanassiadis, M. Schau, H. Richter, T. Qiu, P. Fischer, Nature Communications 11:4537 (2020).

“Acoustic Holographic Cell Patterning in a Biocompatible Hydrogel”, Z. Ma, A. Holle, K. Melde, T. Qiu, K. Pöppel, V. Kadiri, P. Fischer, Adv. Mat. 32: 1904181 (2020).

“Acoustic Fabrication via the Assembly and Fusion of Particles”, K. Melde, E. Choi, Z. Wu, S. Palagi, T. Qiu, P. Fischer, Advanced Materials 30, 1704507, (2018).