The new device is based on optofluidic force induction (OF2i). It consists of a clear cylinder and a . In use, the cylinder is filled with water into which sample nanoparticles have been added—in this case, tiny bits of polystyrene. The laser is fired in a way that allows the light to travel in a spiral through the water, forming a water vortex.

The  is used in two ways: to push the nanoparticles through the water and to track their motion. In such a setup, the amount of acceleration experienced by a given nanoparticle will depend on its size. The researchers suggest it is similar to a sailboat. Two boats of the same size experiencing the same force of wind will be pushed at different speeds if they have differently sized sails. And because the laser forms a vortex, the nanoparticles travel in a spiral, making collisions less likely.

The light scattered after bouncing off of the nanoparticle can then be viewed with a time-lapse microscope, which can reveal the paths taken by the individual nanoparticles. Analysis of the shape of such trajectories can be used to determine changes in velocity due to the force exerted by the  and in so doing reveal the size of the nanoparticles. Testing showed the device capable of measuring  in the range of 200 to 900 nm.