[Tyler]

Ultra-Super-Tiny, Sensitive Gripper Developed
     

We've see super-tiny grippers before, but the
ultra-super-tiny gripper developed by
Yu Sun of
the University of Toronto in Canada moves to the next level.
Not only can it grasp individual objects just 10 micrometres across,
it also exerts a tiny, yet controllable force of as little as 20
nanoNewtons using feedback.  The result is the ability to grab tiny
items and not damage them in the process. This comes in handy when
manipulating living cells that are deformed or damaged easily when
man-handled.  The microscopic gripper can also detect objects it bumps
into allowing software to autonomously close in on them for manipulation
faster and more accurately than manual control by a human could.
Unlike many other exotic advancements, these tiny tweezers are also
easy to manufacture by standard silicon etching processes resulting in a
production quantity price of only $50.



   

http://robots.net/article/2533.html