Experimental electromechanics of red blood cells using dielectrophoresis-based microfluidics

Abstract

This study focuses on electrically coupled mechanics of red blood cells (RBCs) using dielectrophoresis in a microfluidic chamber. When RBCs are exposed to non-uniform alternating current electric fields, they exhibit not only a net motion towards high electric field gradients but also morphological deformation at certain conditions. Through interdigitated electrode arrays, multiple cells can be trapped and stretched simultaneously in response to dielectrophoresis actuations. We utilize this approach to measure mechanical properties of individual RBCs. In addition, this dielectrophoresis platform provides a flexibility in different loading profiles, allowing us to measure both static and dynamic behavior of individual RBCs in response to cyclic stretching-relaxation loading. This approach can potentially lead to insights of the accumulative membrane failure of RBCs in blood and extracorporeal circulations.