A system (100, 100') and method for robotic manipulation of objects (130)
is provided wherein a liquid (110, 110') is agitated by the transfer of
energy thereto for establishing an oscillatory motion instability in the
liquid (110, 110'). The energy input into the liquid (110, 110') forms
standing waves (112). The objects (130) align themselves with nodes of the
standing waves (112) and thus are dynamically arranged in a configuration
established by the location of the standing waves (112). The location of
the standing waves (112) can be predetermined by controlling the energy
input by energy application system (140) and the size and shape of the
container (120). Predetermined waveforms are supplied from the signal
source (150, 154) to the energy application system (140).
