Motion control of protozoa for bio-MEMS

This paper investigates the possibility as to whether protozoa can be treated as a living micro manipulator/actuator. Motion control of protozoa is made by using the negative galvanotaxis. First, a basic property test with a DC electric field showed that the Paramecium could be controlled by the electrical potential gradient. By using the eight-direction carbon electrode pool (4 mm electrode distance and 0.2 mm thickness), the operator can control the Paramecium in the aiming direction. Automatic motion control of protozoa is also achieved by using the image processing technology and fuzzy control method. The control method for rapid turning is also developed. To adopt this method to the automatic motion control program, Paramecium can be controlled along any shaped guide route. The actuation to rotate the micro-impeller (0.5 mm diameter) is achieved by Paramecium. These facts show that protozoa are able to be used as a micro manipulator/actuator.