Shape-selective remobilization of microparticles in a mesh-based DEP filter at high throughput
Laura Weirauch, Jasper Giesler, Michael Baune, Georg R. Pesch, Jorg Thöming
Abstract
In numerous of studies, dielectrophoresis (DEP) has proven that its high selectivity and versatility make it a promising separation technique in a variety of fields. So far, however, only a few processes in the bioanalytics have made it to commercial use. One of the main challenges is to achieve a technically relevant throughput while maintaining a high selectivity. We present a novel approach of a mesh-based DEP filter with ordered field disturbing structures that has a high potential for upscaling because low-cost and commercially available materials are used. In this filter, we firstly trap a mixture of particles and then selectively remobilize them via a frequency shift, which allows for multidimensional separation. Shape-selective separation is demonstrated using ellipsoidal and spherical polystyrene particles, first in established microchannels and subsequently in the mesh-based filter. Hence, particles were trapped at flow rates up to 120mLh−1 and then selectively remobilized according to their shape. These results pave the way for high-throughput multitarget separations in a single and scalable device.