Lateral Migration and Three-dimensional Focusing of Particles in Microchannel Electrophoresis

ORAL

Abstract

The fundamental study of particle electrophoresis in microchannels is relevant to many applications. It has long been accepted that particles move parallel to the applied electric field in a straight uniform microchannel. In this talk we present the first experimental demonstration of lateral particle migration in electrophoresis through a rectangular microchannel. This phenomenon is due to the electrical force induced by the asymmetric electric field around the particle near a channel wall. We demonstrate that such cross-stream particle motion in electrophoresis can focus neutrally buoyant particles to the centerline of a rectangular microchannel. This three-dimensional electrokinetic particle focusing may potentially be used in micro flow cytometers.

*NSF CBET-0853873

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Authors

  • Litao Liang

    • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0921

  • Shizhi Qian

    • Department of Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

  • Xiangchun Xuan

    • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0921
    • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0921, USA
    • Clemson University