Dielectrophoretic mobility determination in DC insulator-based dielectrophoresis

• Published in: Electrophoresis Vol. 32; no. 17; pp. 2292 - 2297
• Main Authors: Weiss, Noah G., Jones, Paul V., Mahanti, Prasun, Chen, Kang P., Taylor, Thomas J., Hayes, Mark A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.09.2011; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Computer Simulation; Dielectrophoresis; Dielectrophoretic mobility; Electrophoresis - instrumentation; Electrophoresis - methods; Equipment Design; Linear Models; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods; Microspheres; Rheology; Velocimetry
• ISSN: 0173-0835; 1522-2683
• DOI: 10.1002/elps.201100034

Insulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) is a powerful tool for separating and characterizing particles, yet it is limited by a lack of quantitative characterizations. Here, this limitation is addressed by employing a method capable of quantifying the DEP mobility of particles. Using streak‐based velocimetry the particle properties are deduced from their motion in a microfluidic channel with a constant electric field gradient. From this approach, the DEP mobility of 1 μm polystyrene particles was found to be −2±0.4 10−8 cm4/(V2 s). In the future, such quantitative treatment will allow for the elucidation of unique insights and rational design of devices.