Numerical simulation of the dielectrophoretic concentration of DNA particles and the effect of AC electroosmosis

Abstract

The dielectrophoretic concentration of DNA particles suspended in a solution is investigated in a system of parallel electrodes, where the particles are attracted to the edges of the electrodes by positive dielectrophoresis. The AC electroosmotic motion of the fluid is also considered, as well as the diffusion of the particles, using the solution of the Smoluchowski equation. The results examine the effect of AC electroosmosis in steady state dielectrophoretic concentration of particles, by demonstrating that AC electroosmosis significantly reduces the dielectrophoretic concentration at the edges and moves the particles towards the electrode centres. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.