As an ideal method to manipulate biological particles, the dielectrophoresis (DEP) technique has been widely used in clinical diagnosis, disease treatment, drug development, immunoassays, cell sorting, etc. This review summarizes the research in the field of bioparticle manipulation based on DEP techniques. Firstly, the basic principle of DEP and its classical theories are introduced in brief; Secondly, a detailed introduction on the DEP technique used for bioparticle manipulation is presented, in which the applications are classified into five fields: capturing bioparticles to specific regions, focusing bioparticles in the sample, characterizing biomolecular interaction and detecting microorganism, pairing cells for electrofusion and separating different kinds of bioparticles; Thirdly, the effect of DEP on bioparticle viability is analyzed; Finally, the DEP techniques are summarized and future trends in bioparticle manipulation are suggested.

Silicon/carbon nanotube (Si/CNTs) nanocomposite is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Challenges related to the tricky synthesis process, as well as the weak interaction between Si and CNTs, hinder practical applications. To address these issues, a facile, one-step method to synthesize Si/CNTs nanocomposite by using silica (SiO₂) as a reactant via a magnesium reduction process was developed. In this synthesis, the heat released enables the as-obtained Si to react with CNTs in the interfacial region to form silicon carbide (SiC). By virtue of the unique structure composed of Si nanoparticles strongly anchored to conductive CNTs network with stable Si–C chemical bonding, the Si/SiC/CNT nanocomposite delivers a stable capacity of ~1100 mAh g⁻¹ and a capacity retention of about 83.8% after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. Our studies may provide a convenient strategy for the preparation of the Si/C anode of LIBs.

Since the cell was discovered by humans, it has been an important research subject for researchers. The mechanical response of cells to external stimuli and the biomechanical response inside cells are of great significance for maintaining the life activities of cells. These biomechanical behaviors have wide applications in the fields of disease research and micromanipulation. In order to study the mechanical behavior of single cells, various cell mechanics models have been proposed. In addition, the measurement technologies of single cells have been greatly developed. These models, combined with experimental techniques, can effectively explain the biomechanical behavior and reaction mechanism of cells. In this review, we first introduce the basic concept and biomechanical background of cells, then summarize the research progress of internal force models and experimental techniques in the field of cell mechanics and discuss the latest mechanical models and experimental methods. We summarize the application directions of cell mechanics and put forward the future perspectives of a cell mechanics model.