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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Separating Beads and Cells in Multi-channel Microfluidic Devices Using Dielectrophoresis and Laminar Flow
Published on: February 4, 2011
Membraneless microseparation by asymmetry in curvilinear laminar flows
Jeonggi Seo1, Meng H Lean, Ashutosh Kole
1Palo Alto Research Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. jseo@parc.com
Abstract:
Membraneless microseparation by asymmetric inertial migration is studied in curvilinear laminar flows and evidence of the microseparation is presented. Along a curvilinear laminar flow, transverse particle migration involves competition between three shear-flow effects; the tubular pinch effect, centrifugal force, and Dean's vortex. Equilibrating control of migration allows for particle separation to different outlets. No filter-media or external force is necessary for the microseparation utilizing only shear-flow characteristics. A double-spiral design effectively controls the migration to optimize microseparation. The concentration ratio of 10 microm beads from the two different outlets was 660 times at 92 mm/s of flow velocity. This new technology has great potential for high-throughput and low cost in bio-agent and particulate separation at both macro and micro scales.
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