Characterization of polystrene particles with 3D electrode by using dep phenomena

A microfluidic chip made up of a polydimethysiloxane micro channel and a CNT added conductive polymer composite electrode array was produced using standard lithography and micro fabrication techniques to manipulate polystyrene particles suspended in deionised water using alternating current dielectrophoresis. DI water and particle suspension was pumped into the chip and AC current at 5MHz and 100KHz was applied to the electrode terminals. The microchip performed in conformity with the simulation results calculated prior to experimentation. Separation success could be achieved with flow rate 10 μl/min and current amplitude 10 Volt. Due to its low flow rate and voltage requirements and short length the AC dielectrophoretic particle separator was found to be superior to its larger passive counterparts requiring higher flow rates to function.