Issue 2, 2008

Dielectrophoresis-based particle exchanger for the manipulation and surface functionalization of particles

Abstract

We present a microfluidic device where micro- and nanoparticles can be continuously functionalized in flow. This device relies on an element called “particle exchanger”, which allows for particles to be taken from one medium and exposed to some reagent while minimizing mixing of the two liquids. In the exchanger, two liquids are brought in contact and particles are pushed from one to the other by the application of a dielectrophoretic force. We determined the maximum flow velocity at which all the particles are exchanged for a range of particle sizes. We also present a simple theory that accounts for the behaviour of the device when the particle size is scaled. Diffusion mixing in the exchanger is also evaluated. Finally, we demonstrate particle functionalization within the microfluidic device by coupling a fluorescent tag to avidin-modified 880 nm particles. The concept presented in this paper has been developed for synthesis of modified particles but is also applicable to on-chip bead-based chemistry or cellular biology.

Graphical abstract: Dielectrophoresis-based particle exchanger for the manipulation and surface functionalization of particles

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Sep 2007
Accepted
21 Nov 2007
First published
12 Dec 2007

Lab Chip, 2008,8, 267-273

Dielectrophoresis-based particle exchanger for the manipulation and surface functionalization of particles

R. Tornay, T. Braschler, N. Demierre, B. Steitz, A. Finka, H. Hofmann, J. A. Hubbell and P. Renaud, Lab Chip, 2008, 8, 267 DOI: 10.1039/B713776A

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