Dielectrophoretic processes in a linear electrode array

We present experiments on dielectrophoretic (DEP) separation and trapping performed in a titanium-based microchannel linear electrode array. The device is designed to allow for effects driven by nonhomogeneities in electric-field magnitude driven (p-DEP and n-DEP) and nonhomogeneities in electric-field phase-driven (traveling wave) DEP. It is also capable of inducing multi-frequency DEP, in contrast with most of the previous, single-frequency, designs. We show that fluid flow effects are substantial and can affect the particle motion in a positive (enhanced trapping) and negative (trapping when separation is desired) way. We discuss the advantages of multi-frequency dielectrophoretic handling of bioparticles.