Simultaneous microscale optical manipulation, fabrication and immobilisation in aqueous media

Efficient multiphoton radical generation chemistry has been developed for use in aqueous media. Through a combination of multiphoton absorption polymerisation (MAP) and optical tweezers, this chemistry has been applied to the fabrication, manipulation, and assembly of 3D polymeric and biomolecular structures. Combining MAP and optical tweezers allows for the direct assembly of 3D structures from microscale objects as well as for the realisation of structures, such as tape-like and rope-like microthreads, that can be used for unconventional microfabrication techniques including microbraiding and microweaving. These capabilities significantly expand the toolbox of methods available for the creation of functional microstructures in aqueous media.