Modeling of micro/nano particle separation in microchannels with field-flow fractionation

• Published in: Microsystem technologies : sensors, actuators, systems integration Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 947 - 954
• Main Authors: Song, Minghao, Sun, Hongwei, Charmchi, Majid, Wang, Pengtao, Zhang, Zongqin, Faghri, Mohammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.06.2010; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied fluid mechanics; Applied sciences; Charged particles; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electric field strength; Electric fields; Electrokinetic effects; Electronics and Microelectronics; Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fluidics; Fractionation; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Instrumentation; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Materials science; Mathematical models; Mechanical Engineering; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Mechanical instruments, equipment and techniques; Microchannels; Micromechanical devices and systems; Nanorods; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology; Nanowires; Nucleic acids; Parameters; Particle shape; Performance prediction; Physics; Precision engineering, watch making; Sedimentation & deposition; Separation; Simulation; Technical Paper; Velocity; Applied Electric Field Strength; Effective Electrical Field; Elution Time; Hydraulic Force; Electrical Double Layer; Yeasts; Particle size; Flow rate; Particle motion; Fluid flow; Electrokinetics; Experimental study; Particle separation; Microparticles; Nanoparticles; Proteins; Separation method; Bacteria; Modelling; Particle shape; Nanowires; Molecular biology; Microfluidics; Fluidics
• DOI: 10.1007/s00542-010-1054-4
• ISSN: 0946-7076

The cyclical electrical field-flow fractionation (CyElFFF) is a very promising separation technique for particles and biological molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, viruses, bacteria, yeast cells, mammalian cells. But a clear understanding of the mechanism and performance prediction of this system under different operating parameters is far from completed. This research focuses on a computational investigation of particle behavior in a CyElFFF system by taking into account both electrokinetic effects and particle dynamics. The model was validated with both theory and experimental results. The effects of key parameters such as applied electric field strength and frequency, solution fluid flow rate, particle size, particle shape on separation process are addressed in a systematic way. The developed model can also be utilized in studying the behavior of spherical or non-spherical particles (such as nanowire, nanorod, and nanofiber) in other microfluidic systems.