Optoelectronic tweezers meet microfluidics: A powerful approach for micromanipulation and biochemical analysis

Optoelectronic tweezers (OETs) have emerged as a transformative micromanipulation technology that transcends the limitations of traditional optical tweezers by utilizing light-induced dielectrophoresis. By leveraging the photoconductive effect of semiconductor materials, OET creates dynamic “virtual electrodes” that generate non-uniform electric fields, enabling high-throughput, noninvasive manipulation of microscale and nanoscale objects at optical power densities several orders of magnitude lower than conventional laser-based trapping. This review provides a rigorous examination of the fundamental physical principles of OET, while detailing its strategic integration with diverse microfluidic architectures. We systematically evaluate the synergy between OET and three primary fluidic platforms: channel microfluidics, which facilitates continuous-flow sorting and single-cell analysis; digital microfluidics, enabling precise particle handling within discrete droplets; and optoelectrowetting, which supports flexible droplet transport across complex topographies. Beyond laboratory research, we highlight the commercialization of these systems in biopharmaceutical discovery and the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in catalyzing a paradigm shift toward autonomous, intelligent robotic platforms for precision medicine. Finally, we outline future frontiers in novel photoconductive materials and discuss the roadmap for highly integrated optofluidic systems in clinical diagnostics and cell therapy development.