https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/e2007-00040-y
Regular Articles
Pulsed-field separation of particles in a microfluidic device
1
Experimental Biophysics & Applied Nanosciences, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
2
Theoretical Physics, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
* e-mail: reimann@physik.uni-bielefeld.de
Received:
2
February
2007
Published online:
11
May
2007
We demonstrate the proof-of-principle of a new separation concept for micrometer-sized particles in a structured microfluidic device. Under the action of externally applied, periodic voltage-pulses two different species of like-charged polystyrene beads are observed to simultaneously migrate into opposite directions. Based on a theoretical model of the particle motion in the microdevice that shows good agreement with the experimental measurements, the underlying separation mechanism is identified and explained. Potential biophysical applications, such as cell sorting, are briefly addressed.
PACS: 85.85.+j Micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) and devices – / 05.40.-a Fluctuation phenomena, random processes, noise, and Brownian motion – / 05.60.-k Transport processes – / 82.70.Dd Colloids –
© EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag, 2007
