Recent advances in direct current electrokinetic manipulation of particles for microfluidic applications

Focusing particles into a tight stream is critical for many microfluidic particle-handling devices such as flow cytometers and particle sorters. This work presents a fundamental study of the passive focusing of polystyrene particles in ratchet microchannels via direct current dielectrophoresis (DC DEP). We demonstrate using both experiments and simulation that particles achieve better focusing in a symmetric ratchet microchannel than in an asymmetric one, regardless of the particle movement direction in the latter. The particle focusing ratio, which is defined as the microchannel width over the particle stream width, is found to increase with an increase in particle size or electric field in the symmetric ratchet microchannel. Moreover, it exhibits an almost linear correlation with the number of ratchets, which can be explained by a theoretical formula that is obtained from a scaling analysis. In addition, we have demonstrated a DC dielectrophoretic focusing of yeast cells in the symmetric ratchet microchannel with minimal impact on the cell viability.

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“…Following the traditional analysis of electrokinetic phenomena [52], the particle deflection in Equation (1) may be rewritten as…”

Section: Focusing Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is interesting to see that the particle deflection in Equation (2) becomes independent of the curvature radius of the ratchet tip. This is because we assume that particles traveling around the ratchet behave like those traveling through an exactly circular channel [52].…”

Section: Focusing Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passive Dielectrophoretic Focusing of Particles and Cells in Ratchet Microchannels

Malekanfard

Beladi-Behbahani

et al. 2020

Micromachines

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“…The authors did not offer an explanation for this discrepancy. For more information on electrokinetic particle manipulation, the reader is referred to a recent review article by the Xuan group that covers the recent advancements on applications using DC and DC-biased AC voltages [56].…”

Section: Streaming Idep Systems 41 Correction Factors In Curvature Imentioning

confidence: 99%

On the use of correction factors for the mathematical modeling of insulator based dielectrophoretic devices

Hill

Lapizco‐Encinas

2019

Electrophoresis

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Mathematical modeling is a fundamental component in the development of new microfluidics techniques and devices. Modeling allows for the rapid testing of new system configurations while saving resources. Microscale electrokinetic (EK) techniques have significantly benefited by the advances in modeling programs and software packages. However, EK phenomena are complex to model, as they dynamically affect system characteristics, including the physical properties of the particles and fluid within the system. Insulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) is an EK technique that has received important attention during the last two decades. In particular, numerous research groups that study iDEP systems employ a combination of modeling and experimentation for developing new iDEP systems. An important fraction of these research groups has adopted the practice of employing “correction factors” to account for EK phenomena that cannot be accurately predicted in their models due to model complexity and limitations in computing resources. The present review article aims to provide the reader with an overview of the most common approaches in the use of correction factors for the modeling of iDEP systems.

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“…We will briefly discuss here electrophoresis, electro-osmosis, and dielectrophoresis. An in-depth review of these is given by Xuan (2019).…”

Section: Electrical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A concise review of microfluidic particle manipulation methods

Zhang

Wang

Onck

et al. 2020

Microfluid Nanofluid

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Particle manipulation is often required in many applications such as bioanalysis, disease diagnostics, drug delivery and selfcleaning surfaces. The fast progress in micro-and nano-engineering has contributed to the rapid development of a variety of technologies to manipulate particles including more established methods based on microfluidics, as well as recently proposed innovative methods that still are in the initial phases of development, based on self-driven microbots and artificial cilia. Here, we review these techniques with respect to their operation principles and main applications. We summarize the shortcomings and give perspectives on the future development of particle manipulation techniques. Rather than offering an in-depth, detailed, and complete account of all the methods, this review aims to provide a broad but concise overview that helps to understand the overall progress and current status of the diverse particle manipulation methods. The two novel developments, self-driven microbots and artificial cilia-based manipulation, are highlighted in more detail.

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Recent advances in direct current electrokinetic manipulation of particles for microfluidic applications

Cited by 101 publications

References 267 publications

Passive Dielectrophoretic Focusing of Particles and Cells in Ratchet Microchannels

Passive Dielectrophoretic Focusing of Particles and Cells in Ratchet Microchannels

On the use of correction factors for the mathematical modeling of insulator based dielectrophoretic devices

A concise review of microfluidic particle manipulation methods

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