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Sorting and separation of microparticles is a challenging problem ofinterdisciplinary nature. Existing technologies can differentiatemicroparticles by their bulk properties, such as size, density, electricpolarizability, etc. The next level of challenge is to separate particles thatshow identical bulk properties and differ only in subtle surface features, suchas functionalization with ligands. In this work, we propose a technique to sortand separate particles and fluid droplets that differ in surface properties. Asa dispersive medium, we use a nematic liquid crystal (LC) rather than anisotropic fluid, which allows us to amplify the difference in surfaceproperties through distinct perturbations of LC order around the dispersedparticles. The particles are placed in a LC cell with spatially distortedmolecular orientation subject to an alternating current electric field. Thegradients of the molecular orientation perform two functions. First, elasticinteractions between these pre-imposed gradients and distortions around theparticles separate the particles with different surface properties in space.Second, these pre-imposed patterns create electro-osmotic flows powered by theelectric field that transport the sorted particles to different locations thusseparating them. The demonstrated unique sorting and separation capabilityopens opportunities in lab-on-a-chip, cell sorting and bio-sensingapplications.

Sorting and separation of microparticles by surface properties using liquid crystal-enabled electro-osmosis