One is an adaptation of a well-known effect called "optical tweezers" in which objects can be trapped in the focus of one or two laser beams.

BBC: Nasa examines 'tractor beams' for sample gathering

If it were possible to move the components around using optical tweezers, and put them directly on to a base, that would open up a completely different approach to the problem and might, ultimately, result in a new manufacturing technology.

ECONOMIST: Male and female sperm can be sorted using lasers