Modeling of dielectrophoretic particle motion: Point particle versus finite-sized particle

Abstract

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a very popular technique for microfluidic bio-particle manipulation. For the design of a DEP-based microfluidic device, simulation of the particle trajectory within the microchannel network is crucial. There are basically two approaches: (i) point-particle approach and (ii) finite-sized particle approach. In this study, many aspects of both approaches are discussed for the simulation of direct current DEP, alternating current DEP, and traveling-wave DEP applications. Point-particle approach is implemented using Lagrangian tracking method, and finite-sized particle is implemented using boundary element method. The comparison of the point-particle approach and finite-sized particle approach is presented for different DEP applications. Moreover, the effect of particle-particle interaction is explored by simulating the motion of closely packed multiple particles for the same applications, and anomalous-DEP, which is a result of particle-wall interaction at the close vicinity of electrode surface, is illustrated.

Keywords: Boundary element method; Dielectrophoresis; Lagrangian tracking method; Microfluidics.