Issue 4, 2008

Parasitic trap cancellation using multiple frequency dielectrophoresis, demonstrated by loading cells into cages

Abstract

This paper presents a method of using multiple frequencies to counteract electric field distortions that interfere with the dielectrophoretic (DEP) manipulation of particles or cells. To demonstrate the technique, simulations were performed for a scenario in which cells were to be loaded into a cage whose walls created parasitic trapping sites that prevented cells from entering it. By employing negative DEP on one electrode in conjunction with positive DEP on another, these traps could be almost completely cancelled. The model predictions were validated experimentally: multiple frequency DEP was used to load many cells into a cage in a matter of seconds in fluid flows of up to 300 µm s−1, which could not be done with single frequency DEP. Actively cancelling field distortions permits the presence of features that would otherwise be prohibited near regions of dielectrophoretic manipulation, significantly expanding the environments in which dielectrophoresis can be used.

Graphical abstract: Parasitic trap cancellation using multiple frequency dielectrophoresis, demonstrated by loading cells into cages

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Nov 2007
Accepted
24 Jan 2008
First published
10 Mar 2008

Lab Chip, 2008,8, 550-556

Parasitic trap cancellation using multiple frequency dielectrophoresis, demonstrated by loading cells into cages

M. Urdaneta and E. Smela, Lab Chip, 2008, 8, 550 DOI: 10.1039/B717862J

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