Optical-tweezer-induced microbubbles as scavengers of carbon nanotubes

A modified optical tweezers set-up has been used to generate microbubbles in flowing, biologically relevant fluids and human whole blood that contains carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using low power (< or =5 mW), infrared (1064 nm wavelength), continuous wave laser light. Temperature driven effects at the tweezers' focal point help to optically trap these microbubbles. It is observed that proximate CNTs are driven towards the focal spot where, on encountering the microbubble, they adhere to it. Such CNT-loaded microbubbles can be transported both along and against the flow of surrounding fluid, and can also be exploded to cause fragmentation of the bundles. Thus, microbubbles may be used for scavenging, transporting and dispersal of potentially toxic CNTs in biologically relevant environments.