Towards Enabling Diatom Frustule Integration in Advanced Micro/Nanosystems: Automated Micromanipulation as a Promising Approach
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Diatoms—unicellular microalgae essential for global ecosystems—synthesize nanostructured siliceous frustules composed of valves and girdle bands. In recent years, these frustule components have attracted increasing attention as sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternatives to selected artificially fabricated micro/nanostructures used in micro- and nanosystems, particularly in fields such as photonics, sensing, and microfluidics, leading to the rise of diatom nanotechnology. Yet, the fabrication of commercially viable diatom-based devices remains hindered by several bottlenecks, including challenges associated with the precise assembly and integration of frustule-derived components within sophisticated micro- and nanosystems. In this perspective, we focus on these challenges and propose automated micromanipulation as a potentially transformative approach for addressing them.
Source: Preprints.org
Language: English
Topic: Diatoms and Algae Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7205006034