Optimizing mixer geometries for dielectrophoretic micro-concentrators

Abstract

Dielectrophoretic (DEP) force, generated by interdigitated electrodes (IDEs), has been utilized to capture bio-particles for microfluidic concentration. However, due to the localized DEP force, DEP-based ,/ -concentrators usually have shallow channels and thus are operated under low flow rates. In this thesis, we propose a mixer-enhanced DEP-based concentrator which can be operate under high flow rates (-200 /l/min) with 20 Vpp applied voltage. In particular, the optimal geometries of micromixers for the device are investigated and determined by simulations and experiments. The optimal micromixer-enhanced concentrator exhibits up to 1.5 x improvement in trapping efficiency as compared to a concentrator without mixers.