Oscillation-based methods for actuation and manipulation of nano-objects

We discuss how oscillations can be used for fixation or manipulation of nano-objects or producing nano-drives. The underlying principles are scale-invariant and principally can be scaled down up to the molecular scale. The main underlying principle of fixation and actuation occurs to be symmetry breaking of an oscillating system. From this unifying standpoint, a series of actuation principles are discussed as dragging, ratchets, micro walking, friction-inertia actuators, oscillation tweezers, flagella motors for propulsion in liquids as well as some recently proposed actuation principles.