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Insulator‐based dielectrophoretic separation of small particles in a sawtooth channel
Author(s) -
Chen Kang Ping,
Pacheco Jose Rafael,
Hayes Mark. A.,
Staton Sarah J. R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/elps.200800833
Subject(s) - sawtooth wave , electrokinetic phenomena , dimensionless quantity , particle (ecology) , materials science , dielectrophoresis , mechanics , channel (broadcasting) , trapping , voltage , molecular physics , geometry , physics , nanotechnology , microfluidics , electrical engineering , mathematics , computer science , ecology , oceanography , engineering , quantum mechanics , geology , computer vision , biology
Insulator‐based dielectrophoretic separation of small particles in a sawtooth channel is studied in the limit of dilute concentration. Pathlines for the movements of infinitesimal particles are constructed and the geometric changes of these pathlines are used to establish the criterion for blocking and trapping particles with different physical properties. The sharp corners of the sawtooth channel create much stronger dielectrophoretic force than channels with smooth corners for blocking particle movements. Particle blocking and trapping depend on particle properties and the geometry of the device. It is shown that once the channel geometric aspect ratios are specified, the blocking criterion depends on only a single dimensionless parameter C defined in terms of the particle mobility ratio (dielectrophoretic versus electrokinetic), the applied voltage and the spacing between the teeth. Selective blocking and trapping of particles can be realized by varying the geometry of the channel progressively. High‐resolution separation can be achieved by tuning the differential in the parameter C to a desired level.