Microrheology: a review of the method and applications

A set of local mechanical probes has been developed over the last ten years, allowing a kind of dynamical mechanical testing known as microrheology. This paper provides a short introductory review of these methods of performing rheology, comparing them to conventional rheometry, and highlighting the major advantages. The authors also share their outlook on some of the most promising and fastest developing areas that are being studied though microrheology, in the areas of biophysics and soft matter.