The innovative nanoscale video game concept, developed by a research team led by Professor Takayuki Hoshino at Nagoya University's Graduate School of Engineering, represents a significant advancement in nanoscale manipulation technology12. This unique game allows players to control a tiny digital ship, firing nanoscale bullets to push around physical polystyrene balls measuring just a few microns in width34. By utilizing electron beams to generate dynamic patterns of electric fields and optical images on a display surface, researchers have created a system that enables real-time control of force fields between nanoparticles5. This groundbreaking approach not only demonstrates the potential for seamless integration of virtual objects with real nanomaterials but also opens up new possibilities for precise manipulation of objects at the nanoscale.

The game employs "nano-mixed reality" (MR) technology, blending digital elements with the physical nanoworld in real-time. A joystick controls an electron beam beneath a silicon-nitrogen substrate, creating a triangular pattern representing the player's ship. Players can fire "bullets" by generating nano-scale dot patterns with the electron beam, which produce dynamic electric fields that push physical polystyrene balls through electrostatic interactions12. This innovative approach allows for the manipulation of particles approximately 1 billionth of a meter in size, demonstrating precise control at the nanoscale34.

The nanoscale video game technology developed by Professor Hoshino's team at Nagoya University has potential applications far beyond entertainment. This innovative approach to manipulating nanoparticles opens up exciting possibilities in various scientific fields:

• Biomedical Engineering: The technology could be used to manipulate and assemble biomolecular samples at the smallest levels, potentially revolutionizing drug delivery systems and targeted therapies.1

• Nanotechnology: Real-time manipulation of nanoparticles could lead to advancements in nanomaterial assembly and the creation of novel nanostructures.12

• 3D Printing: The technique could enable real-time 3D printing at the nanoscale, offering unprecedented precision in manufacturing microscopic objects.13

• Virus Research: The same guidance technique could potentially be used to direct toxic agents to virus cells in living organisms, opening new avenues for antiviral therapies.1

• Molecular Computing: By providing an interface between the nanoscale molecular world and cyberspace, this technology could contribute to the development of molecular-computer interfaces for advanced biomolecular applications.4

These applications demonstrate the far-reaching impact of this nanoscale manipulation technology, potentially transforming fields from medicine to manufacturing through its ability to interact with matter at the molecular level.

The groundbreaking nanoscale video game research was published in the Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, a respected peer-reviewed scientific journal focusing on various fields of applied physics12. The study, led by Professor Takayuki Hoshino's team at Nagoya University, detailed their innovative "electron-beam induced electro-force field display for dynamical biomanipulation system"34.

Key aspects of the published research include:

• The use of high-speed electron beams to generate dynamic patterns of electric fields and optical images on a display surface5.

• Development of a surface modification technique that suppressed electroosmotic flows, improving nanoscale precision control4.

• Demonstration of interactive motion control with nano-resolution using the electro-force field display4.

• Implementation of an interactive nano video game to showcase the technology's potential for real-time biomolecular manipulation4.

This publication not only presents a novel approach to nanoscale manipulation but also highlights the potential for creating intuitive interfaces between the molecular world and cyberspace4.