Traveling-wave dielectrophoresis of microparticles

The traveling-wave-induced linear transfer of dielectric particles like living cells and artificial objects of microscopic dimensions is analyzed. It is shown that the electrode geometries must correspond to particle sizes to allow an effective manipulation of particles immersed in weakly electrolytic solutions by high frequency traveling waves. The theoretical model elaborated in this paper is in good agreement with experimental results obtained in microfabricated chambers of linearly arranged electrodes. It explains the behavior of homogeneous cellulose spheres as well as that of membrane-covered pine polls. The traveling-wave-driven electrodes are described by a superposition of time-dependent point charges. Subsequently, each of these point charges has to be considered as polarizing the dielectric particle and interacting with the polarized particle. This results in forces which effectively translocate the particle.