Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a CMOS-compatible lab-on-a-chip system featuring shape-memory alloy microcage grippers capable of holding biological samples such as cells and organoids in place. The chip integrates an array of nine sets of microcages in three sizes (100, 150, and 280 micrometers), made from layered platinum and titanium, which change shape in response to electrical signals and hold their position without continuous power. The system also includes electrochemical sensors using gold, platinum, and palladium electrodes for detecting molecules like neurotransmitters. Presented at ISSCC 2026, the technology aims to enable physical manipulation, chemical sensing, and potentially directed stem cell development within a single integrated platform, overcoming limitations of optical, acoustic, and dielectrophoresis-based manipulation methods.
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