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A dielectrophoretic continuous flow sorter using integrated microelectrodes coupled to a channel constriction
Author(s) -
Salomon Sven,
Leichlé Thierry,
Nicu Liviu
Publication year - 2011
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.201000675
Subject(s) - electrokinetic phenomena , sorting , microfluidics , particle (ecology) , materials science , microelectrode , dielectrophoresis , electrode , flow (mathematics) , polystyrene , nanotechnology , cell sorting , mechanics , chemistry , computer science , composite material , physics , biochemistry , oceanography , geology , cell , programming language , polymer
In this article, we propose a novel dielectrophoretic continuous flow sorter using planar micro electrodes coupled to a channel constriction. This design enables a high particle sorting efficiency at low voltages while relying on a simple fabrication and integration process. We have numerically simulated the AC electrokinetic effects and the fluid behavior to predict particle trajectories. Simulation results are in accordance with experimental data: 10 and 5 μm polystyrene beads were continuously sorted with <2% errors at flow speeds of 100 μm/s. We were also able to change the particle buffer while sorting beads. Finally, to demonstrate the interest of our device for cell sorting, we also sorted dead and living yeast cells according to their different dielectric properties. Living cell concentration was enriched by a factor of 4 versus dead cell concentration after passing the sorting device.