Fiber‐Tip Microgripper with Sub‐Milliwatt Photoactuation

摘要

Abstract While many micromanipulators offer advanced functionality, they often require relatively high power (10–100 mW) for actuation and are not easily integrated into existing diagnostic systems like endoscopes. This work presents an optically controlled fiber‐tip microgripper, which combines the light‐guiding capability of an optical fiber with the photoactuation of an azobenzene liquid crystal polymer. This microgripper opens and closes its fingers (polymer strips) using visible light at power levels as low as ≈0.3 mW and retains its shape without continuous illumination, providing notable energy efficiency. It is demonstrated to grasp, transport, and release a piece of optical fiber, a relatively heavy micro‐object. The use of a fiber to tether the microgripper and deliver pump light enables micromanipulation in narrow, hard‐to‐reach locations where external illumination may be impractical. Its compact design, low power consumption, and fiber‐optic compatibility position this microgripper—and its potential variants—as a promising tool for robotic, biomedical, and microfluidic applications.