A system and method for robotic manipulation of objects is provided wherein a liquid is agitated by the transfer of energy thereto for establishing an oscillatory motion instability in the liquid. The energy input into the liquid forms standing waves. The objects align themselves with nodes of the standing waves and thus are dynamically arranged in a configuration established by the location of the standing waves). The location of the standing waves can be predetermined by controlling the energy input by energy application system and the size and shape of the container. Predetermined waveforms are supplied from the signal source to the energy application system.
Patent Number: 6.776,118
Date Issued: August 17 2004