%0 Journal Article %J Lab Chip %D 2019 %T Modular soft robotic microdevices for dexterous biomanipulation %A Özkale, Berna %A Parreira, Raquel %A Bekdemir, Ahmet %A Pancaldi, Lucio %A Özelçi, Ece %A Amadio, Claire %A Kaynak, Murat %A Stellacci, Francesco %A Mooney, David J %A Sakar, Mahmut Selman %X We present a methodology for building biologically inspired, soft microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. Our strategy combines several advanced techniques including programmable colloidal self-assembly, light-harvesting with plasmonic nanotransducers, and in situ polymerization of compliant hydrogel mechanisms. We synthesize optomechanical microactuators using a template-assisted microfluidic approach in which gold nanorods coated with thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (pNIPMAM) polymer function as nanoscale building blocks. The resulting microactuators exhibit mechanical properties (4.8 ± 2.1 kPa stiffness) and performance metrics (relative stroke up to 0.3 and stress up to 10 kPa) that are comparable to that of bioengineered muscular constructs. Near-infrared (NIR) laser illumination provides effective spatiotemporal control over actuation (sub-micron spatial resolution at millisecond temporal resolution). Spatially modulated hydrogel photolithography guided by an experimentally validated finite element-based design methodology allows construction of compliant poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) mechanisms around the microactuators. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach by manufacturing a diverse array of microdevices including lever arms, continuum microrobots, and dexterous microgrippers. We present a microscale compression device that is developed for mechanical testing of three-dimensional biological samples such as spheroids under physiological conditions. %B Lab Chip %V 19 %P 778-788 %8 2019 Feb 26 %G eng %N 5 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30714604?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1039/c8lc01200h