An application of optical tweezers

Oxycyte is a perfluorocarbon-based material that can mimic the oxygen carrying capabilities of hemoglobin and is in the testing stages of acting for use as a blood substitute. However, a problem associated with using Oxycyte as a blood substitute is that it clumps together too easily and does not coagulate. An approach for studying the problem uses optical tweezers to help model the forces between Oxycyte particles. Elements of optical tweezers, including laser beams, microscopes, and operation by trapping particles with light will be outlined. An experimental system created to study the forces between particles is presented. Experimental issues and successes will be discussed, along with further research that can be done using the proposed system.