Micro-aquatic-farm: On chip stimulation and evaluation system for microorganisms by magnetically driven microtools

In this paper, we propose micro-aquatic-farm, which mimic fluvial environment for an aquatic microorganism. The system provides ideal environment to measure and understand characteristics of the single microorganism. On-chip force sensor is fabricated by assembling layers to neglect the friction issue and it is actuated by permanent magnets, which supply mN order force to stimulate microorganisms. The displacement is magnified by designing beams on the force sensor and the sensor achieved 100 μN resolutions. We succeeded in on-chip stimulation and evaluation of Pleurosira laevis by magnetically driven microtool.