Precise electrokinetic position and three-dimensional orientation control of a nanowire bioprobe in solution

Owing to Brownian-motion effects, the precise manipulation of individual micro- and nanoparticles in solution is challenging. Therefore, scanning-probe-based techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, attach particles to cantilevers to enable their use as nanoprobes. Here we demonstrate a versatile electrokinetic trap that simultaneously controls the two-dimensional position with a precision of 20 nm and 0.5° in the three-dimensional orientation of an untethered nanowire, as small as 300 nm in length, under an optical microscope. The method permits the active transport of nanowires with a speed-dependent accuracy reaching 90 nm at 2.7 μm s^–1. It also allows for their synchronous three-dimensional alignment and rotation during translocation along complex trajectories. We use the electrokinetic trap to accurately move a nanoprobe and stably position it on the surface of a single bacterial cell for sensing secreted metabolites for extended periods. The precision-controlled manipulation underpins developing nanorobotic tools for assembly, micromanipulation and biological measurements with subcellular resolution.