“Academics have demonstrated for the first time that a ‘sonic lasso’ can be used to grip microscopic objects, such as cells, and move them about. The researchers have shown experimentally how tiny particles, such as cells, or any small objects can be trapped by a spinning ultrasonic, or sonic, vortex. The vortex acts as a lasso that can be controlled and moved, catching the microscopic particles and enabling their careful positioning.  This new technology makes possible applications such as assembly human tissue from a collection of cells and assembling nano materials.”