Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Creating Sub-50 Nm Nanofluidic Junctions in PDMS Microfluidic Chip via Self-Assembly Process of Colloidal Particles
Published on: March 13, 2016
Induced dipoles and dielectrophoresis of nanocolloids in electrolytes
Sagnik Basuray1, Hsueh-Chia Chang
1Center for Microfluidics and Medical Diagnostics, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA.
Abstract:
Electric induced dipoles of nanocolloids the size of the Debye length are shown to be one order stronger than predicted by the classical Maxwell-Wagner theory and its extensions. The difference is attributed to normal ion migration within the diffuse layer, and adsorption onto the Stern layer at the poles. The characteristic relaxation frequency (the crossover frequency for dielectrophoresis) is shown to be inversely proportional to the RC time of the diffuse layer capacitance and resistance, and has an anomalous -1 scaling with respect to the product of the Debye length and the particle size.
Related Concept Videos
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
The Colloidal State
Electric Dipoles and Dipole Moment
Theoretically, studying electric dipoles leads to understanding why the resultant electric forces around us are weak. Since electric forces are strong, remnant net charges are rare. Hence, the interaction between dipoles helps us understand electrical interactions in...
Theory of Strong Electrolytes
Potential Due to a Polarized Object
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor

