Efficient and biocompatible cell capture utilizing electrically powered pine pollen micromotors

Recent advancements in micro/nanomotor technology have revolutionized bioparticle manipulation, yet significant challenges persist in achieving high-throughput cell capture with biocompatible materials and simplified operational protocols. Herein, we propose a novel platform leveraging natural pine pollen to construct a biocompatible micromotor that synergistically harnesses alternating current (AC) electrokinetics—dielectrophoresis (DEP) and induced charge electro-osmosis (ICEO)—enabled by its unique double semicircle conductive layer geometry. By optimizing low-frequency AC fields and medium conductivity, we achieved precise control over DEP and ICEO for high-throughput cell capture, significantly simplifying experimental workflows. First, numerical simulations elucidated the interplay of geometric flow rate, dielectrophoretic force, and fluid vortices under varying AC frequencies, medium conductivities, and spatial positions on the conductive layer. Experimental validation revealed distinct cell capture velocities under different conditions, enabling comparative analysis of DEP and ICEO dominance. Notably, we identified critical frequency-conductivity regimes where both mechanisms coexist, facilitating enhanced capture efficiency. The pine pollen-based micromotors demonstrated rapid cell trapping and dynamic posture adjustments in response to electric field variations. As the first demonstration of natural pollen-based micromotors integrating DEP and ICEO, this platform overcomes the fabrication complexity and biocompatibility limitations of synthetic alternatives. By elucidating critical frequency-conductivity regimes governing DEP–ICEO synergy, we achieve precise electrokinetic control, further augmented by magnetic guidance for directional cargo transport. The fusion of natural biomaterials with programmable electrokinetic and magnetic actuation establishes a scalable, multimodal solution for biomedical applications—such as targeted drug delivery and single-cell analysis—marking a paradigm shift in biocompatible microparticle manipulation with enhanced precision and operational versatility.