The invention discloses a modular differential compliant displacement reducer with output in same direction or reverse direction of input. The modular differential compliant displacement reducer includes a forward motion module, a reverse motion module and an actuator, and two ends of the forward motion module are respectively connected to one end of the reverse motion module. Differential superposition of displacement is achieved through combination of the forward motion module and the reverse motion module, a large displacement reduction ratio can be obtained, and therefore the resolution ratio and precision of motion are greatly improved. The reducer can be matched with a macro-motion platform, and large-range and ultrahigh-precision motion positioning is achieved.

A system of flexural, actuating, and semiconducting elements of part-types necessary to assemble actuated robotic systems. These parts are joined with a common interface, interlocking with neighboring parts to form a regular lattice structure. Primary considerations for the design of the part interfaces include ease of assembly and the ability to transfer mechanical loads and electronic signals to neighboring parts. The parts are designed to be assembled vertically so structures can he built incrementally one part at a time. They can be easily fabricated at a range of length-scales using a variety of two-dimensional manufacturing processes. These processes include, for example, stamping and laminating, which enable high-throughput production. The simple mechanical interfaces between parts also enable disassembly allowing for reconfigurability and reuse. The interlocking nature of these assemblies allows loads to be distributed through many parallel load-paths.

A flexible assembly system includes an industrial personal computer, a data collection card, a motion control card, a six-degree-of-freedom assembly platform, a first visual platform, a second visual platform and a supporting platform. The six-degree-of-freedom assembly platform includes a four-degree-of-freedom motion platform and a two-degree-of-freedom adjustment device, the two-degree-of-freedom adjustment device includes a two-degree-of-freedom motion platform and a clamping mechanism, and the clamping mechanism includes an outer frame, a flexible wrist rotatably connected in the outer frame, two clamping sheets mounted on the flexible wrist, two driving parts corresponding to the two clamping sheets, two first force sensors provided on the outer frame and two second force sensors provided on the flexible wrist; a first image collection apparatus is mounted on the first visual platform, and a second image collection apparatus is mounted on the second visual platform. A flexible assembly method is also disclosed.

A method of controlling a needle actuator to interact with a cell is provided, the method comprising: providing an actuator comprising a tower, a stage and a needle, wherein the needle is mounted on the stage; applying an electrostatic potential between the tower and the stage to retract the needle; moving the actuator towards the cell; reducing the potential so as to allow the stage and needle to move towards the cell; applying calibration data to detect when the needle has pierced the cell; and reducing the potential further once it has been detected that the needle has pierced the cell. The cell can be a biological cell. The needle can be a micro-needle and the stage can be a micro-stage.

A method of controlling a needle actuator to interact with a cell is provided, the method comprising: providing an actuator comprising a tower, a stage and a needle, wherein the needle is mounted on the stage; applying an electrostatic potential between the tower and the stage to retract the needle; moving the actuator towards the cell; reducing the potential so as to allow the stage and needle to move towards the cell; applying calibration data to detect when the needle has pierced the cell; and reducing the potential further once it has been detected that the needle has pierced the cell. The cell can be a biological cell. The needle can be a micro-needle and the stage can be a micro-stage.

A device is provided, comprising a cell trap comprising a plurality of micro-chambers, each micro-chamber configured to hold a cell. The device can further comprise a manipulator array comprising a plurality of manipulators, each manipulator in spatial communication with a respective micro-chamber, wherein each manipulator comprises a needle, a stage, and an actuator, wherein the needle is mounted to the stage, and the actuator is operable to apply force to the stage in a direction to move the needle to penetrate a cell in the respective micro-chamber.

A device is provided, comprising a cell trap comprising a plurality of micro-chambers, each micro-chamber configured to hold a cell. The device can further comprise a manipulator array comprising a plurality of manipulators, each manipulator in spatial communication with a respective micro-chamber, wherein each manipulator comprises a needle, a stage, and an actuator, wherein the needle is mounted to the stage, and the actuator is operable to apply force to the stage in a direction to move the needle to penetrate a cell in the respective micro-chamber.

A multi-layer, super-planar structure can be formed from distinctly patterned layers. The layers in the structure can include at least one rigid layer and at least one flexible layer; the rigid layer includes a plurality of rigid segments, and the flexible layer can extend between the rigid segments to serve as a joint. The layers are then stacked and bonded at selected locations to form a laminate structure with inter-layer bonds, and the laminate structure is flexed at the flexible layer between rigid segments to produce an expanded three-dimensional structure, wherein the layers are joined at the selected bonding locations and separated at other locations.

A multi-layer, super-planar structure can be formed from distinctly patterned layers. The layers in the structure can include at least one rigid layer and at least one flexible layer; the rigid layer includes a plurality of rigid segments, and the flexible layer can extend between the rigid segments to serve as a joint. The layers are then stacked and bonded at selected locations to form a laminate structure with inter-layer bonds, and the laminate structure is flexed at the flexible layer between rigid segments to produce an expanded three-dimensional structure, wherein the layers are joined at the selected bonding locations and separated at other locations.

A device configured for radiating a focused electromagnetic beam is proposed. Such device comprises: —a first (101) and a second (102) part having respectively a second n.sub.2 and third n.sub.3 refractive index and a first W.sub.1 and second W.sub.2; —a first contact area (100e1) intended to be between a host medium having a first refractive index n1 and in which the micro or nanoparticles are intended to be trapped or moved by a focused electromagnetic beam radiated by the device; —a second contact area (100e2) between the first part and the second part; and —a third contact area (100e3) intended to be between the second part and the host medium. The focused electromagnetic beam results from a combination of at least two beams among a first (NJ1), a second (NJ2) and a third (NJ3) jet beams radiated respectively by the first, second and third contact areas when an incoming electromagnetic wave (IEM) illuminates the device. The device is configured for having a direction of propagation of the focused electromagnetic beam tilted in respect of a direction of propagation of the incoming electromagnetic wave.