Effect of dielectrophoretic force in the self-assembly process of electrosprayed nanoparticles

In this work the effect of the dielectrophoretic force (DEP) in the self-assembly process of nanoparticles electrosprayed onto a substrate, is examined. DEP force is originated by the electric field created by the electrospray gun and by the distortion of the field created by the effective dipole of each nanoparticle. It is also shown that the modulus of this force is large when the distance between particles is few times its diameter, provided the medium is wet and the electric field is not switched off.The directional nature of DEP In this wet phase, is shown to chain nanoparticles aligned with the main electric field direction. Although there is a repulsive force between chains in the orthogonal direction to the field, it is minimum when the beads align with the voids in the nearby chains.DEP is a dominant force in the close distances of nanoparticles compared to double layer, van der Waals, electrophoretic retardation, weight and buoyancy.     

Effect of Joule heating on the electroosmotic microvortex and dielectrophoretic particle separation controlled by local electric field

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) technology has become important application of microfluidic technology to manipulate particles. By using a local modulating electric field to control the combination of electroosmotic microvortices and DEP, our group proposed a device using a direct current (DC) electric field to achieve continuous particle separation. In this paper, the influence of the Joule heating effect on the continuous separation of particles is analyzed. Results show that the Joule heating effect is caused by the local electric field, and the Joule heating effect caused by adjusting the modulating voltage is more significant than that by driving voltage. Moreover, a non-uniform temperature distribution exists in the channel due to the Joule heating effect, and the temperature is the highest at the midpoint of the modulating electrodes. The channel flux can be enhanced, and the enhancement of both the channel flux and temperature is more obvious for a stronger Joule heating effect. In addition, the ability of the vortices to trap particles is enhanced since a larger DEP force is exerted on the particles with the Joule heating effect; and the ability of the vortex to capture particles is stronger with a stronger Joule heating effect. The separation efficiency can also be increased because perfect separation is achieved at a higher channel flux. Parameter optimization of the separation device, such as the convective heat transfer coefficient of the channel wall, the length of modulating electrode, and the width of the channel, is performed.     

Controlled fabrication of gallium nitride nano- and micro-wires by dielectrophoretic force and torque

This paper demonstrates the manipulation of neutral dielectric wires with high aspect ratio by a pulsed electric field. Dielectrophoretic (DEP) force and torque were employed to align the randomly positioned GaN nano- and micro-wires. A simulation of the DEP force alignment process confirmed the experimentally observed dependence on alignment yield to frequency and bias of the electric field. Current–voltage measurements of the GaN micro-wires, aligned by DEP force and torque to pre-patterned metal contacts, confirms that the direct manipulation of micro-sized wire with an electric field oscillated at a frequency of 10 kHz–5 MHz.     

Particle captured by a field-modulating vortex through dielectrophoresis force

In microfluidic technology, dielectrophoresis (DEP) is commonly used to manipulate particles. In this work, the fluid-particle interactions in a microfluidic system are investigated numerically by a finite difference method (FDM) for electric field distribution and a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for the fluid flow. In this system, efficient particle manipulation may be realized by combining DEP and field-modulating vortex. The influence of the density ($\rho_{\rm p}$), radius ($r$), and initial position of the particle in the $y$ direction ($y_{\rm p0}$), and the slip velocity ($u_{0}$) on the particle manipulation are studied systematically. It is found that compared with the particle without action of DEP force, the particle subjected to a DEP force may be captured by the vortex over a wider range of parameters. In the $y$ direction, as $\rho_{\rm p}$ or $r $ increases, the particle can be captured more easily by the vortex since it is subjected to a stronger DEP force. When $u_{0}$ is low, particle is more likely to be captured due to the vortex-particle interaction. Furthermore, the flow field around the particle is analyzed to explore the underlying mechanism. The results obtained in the present study may provide theoretical support for engineering applications of field-controlled vortices to manipulate particles.     

Dielectrophoresis of nanocolloids: A molecular dynamics study

Dielectrophoresis (DEP), the motion of polarizable particles in non-uniform electric fields, has become an important tool for the transport, separation, and characterization of microparticles in biomedical and nanoelectronics research. In this article we present, to our knowledge, the first molecular dynamics simulations of DEP of nanometer-sized colloidal particles. We introduce a simplified model for a polarizable nanoparticle, consisting of a large charged macroion and oppositely charged microions, in an explicit solvent. The model is then used to study DEP motion of the particle at different combinations of temperature and electric field strength. In accord with linear response theory, the particle drift velocities are shown to be proportional to the DEP force. Analysis of the colloid DEP mobility shows a clear time dependence, demonstrating the variation of friction under non-equilibrium. The time dependence of the mobility further results in an apparent weak variation of the DEP displacements with temperature.     

Dielectrophoretic behavior of a single cell when manipulated by optoelectronic tweezers: A study based on COMSOL ALE simulations

Optoelectronic tweezers uses optically induced dielectrophoretic (DEP) force for manipulating cells in aqueous solution, which has shown potential applications in biology and tissue engineering among other possibilities. To effectively design the optoelectronic tweezers (OETs) chip, detailed knowledge about the behavior of cells in response to DEP force in an aqueous layer is needed. In this paper, the trajectories of an SMMC-77721 cell, simulated as a rigid dielectric sphere, in the induced electric field of optical trapping are studied using both an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method and a particle-tracing method (PTM) available within the COMSOL multiphysics software platform. Because the ALE method involves solving the distorted electric field around the cell and taking a full account of the Maxwell stress tensor (MST), it is expected to provide more accurate predictions about the spherical cell velocity than PTM that involves dipole moment approximation. Our ALE results show noticeably greater cell velocity than that predicted by the classical DEP expression based on dipole moment approximation. The ALE model can help gain new insights for analyzing cell motions in aqueous solution under sophisticated optical spot patterns.     

微流动细胞颗粒中介电泳力的分析

介电泳分离方法的研究在微电子机械系统及生物领域具有广泛的应用前景.本文对介电泳作用下细胞颗粒在微通道电解溶液内流动进行了理论分析,对作用在分离流动方向细胞颗粒上的介电泳力和粘性力进行了分析.模拟了交流电场在频率1000 kHz微通道内三维电势分布和不同时间的介电泳力分布变化.     

Insulator-based dielectrophoresis in viscous media—Simulation of particle and droplet velocity

The velocity of micro-particles in a nonuniform electric field was examined as a function of electrical potential and particle size to illustrate the possible application of dielectrophoresis (DEP) as a new separation technique in viscous media. A new comprehensive model is presented that combines the effects of DEP and electrohydrodynamic forces on particle motion. The current model simulation takes into account the possible significant influence of electrohydrodynamic effects depending on the particle size, electrode distance, and voltage applied during DEP particle separation. The heat generated as a consequence of high electric field strength leads to density gradients in the liquid, thus inducing buoyancy forces that cause fluid convective motion.Experimental velocity measurements using two materials having extreme properties, i.e. polyethylene (PE) particles (diameter range 100–2000 μm) and water droplets (diameter range 25–275 μm), both suspended in a viscous medium (silicone oil), correspond with the proposed theoretical predictions. The comprehensive model presented was applied to insulator-based DEP in a direct current (dc) electric field, but it is expected to allow predictions of various similar systems.     

Dielectrophoretic assembly of ZnO nanowires

The synthesis of zinc oxide （ZnO） nanowires is achieved by vapor phase transportation （VPT） method. The designed quartz tube, whose both ends are narrow and the middle is wider, is used to control the growth of ZnO nanowires. Dielectrophoresis （DEP） method is employed to align and manipulate ZnO nanowires which are ultrasonic dispersed and suspended in ethanol solution. Under the dielectrophoretic force, the nanowires are trapped on the pre-patterned electrodes, and further aligned along the electric field and bridge the electrode gap. The dependence of the alignment yield on the applied voltage and frequency is investigated.     

面向微系统的介电泳力微纳粒子操控研究

微系统中低浓度微纳粒子的操控技术亟需改进和完善,介电泳（dielectrophoresis） 在这一领域具有很大的潜力. 以介电泳基本原理分析为基础,推导了介电泳力的复数表达式. 综合分析了影响传统介电泳力和行波介电泳力的主要因素,并建立星型电极和平行电极阵列的二维理论模型,分别作为传统介电泳力和行波介电泳力的微纳粒子操控结构. 设置相应的边界条件,利用实部、虚部耦合求解的方法,仿真计算两种电极上的介电泳力分布规律,为实验提供参数依据. 以传统介电泳力为基础,利用星型电极进行微纳粒子收集实验;以行波介电泳 关键词： 微系统 介电泳 粒子收集 定向驱动     

Microwire formation based on dielectrophoresis of electroless gold plated polystyrene microspheres

Microspheres coated with a perfectly conductive surface have many advantages in the applications of biosensors and micro-electromechanical systems.Polystyrene microspheres with the diameter of 10 μm were coated with a 50 nmthick gold layer using an electroless gold plating approach.Dielectrophoresis(DEP) for bare microspheres and shelled microspheres was theoretically analysed and the real part of the Clausius-Mossotti factor was calculated for the two kinds of microspheres.The experiments on the dielectrophoretic characterisation of the uncoated polystyrene microspheres and gold coated polystyrene microspheres(GCPMs) were carried out.Experimental results showed that the gold coated polystyrene microspheres were only acted by a positive dielectrophoretic force when the frequency was below 40M Hz,while the uncoated polystyrene microspheres were governed by a negative dielectrophoretic force in this frequency range.The gold coated polystyrene microspheres were exploited to form the microwire automatically according to their stable dielectrophoretic and electric characterisations.     

Flow distribution and pressure of air due to ionic wind in pin-to-plate corona discharge system

An electrohydrodynamic investigation has been carried out in a pin-to-plate gas discharge system to clarify the mechanism of repulsive force generation between a pin and plate electrode at corona discharge. Numerical calculations have been conducted in two steps. First, the axi-cylindrical static corona discharge field was calculated with the finite-element method to deduce the Coulombic body force ρ E applied to the air, where ρ is the charge density and E is the electric field, and then the induced ionic wind was calculated with the finite differential method. The calculated pressure distribution on the plate electrode was on the order of 10 Pa which was in good agreement with the measured pressure distribution. The calculated air velocity at the center was several m/s and was confirmed by a time-of-flight experiment and the velocity distribution near the pin electrode also agreed with measurements using a laser Doppler velocimeter. Pressure and wind velocity were increased at high-applied voltage. These results confirm that the ionic wind is the cause of the repulsive force to the pin electrode at the corona discharge.     

Numerical design of a 3-D microsystem for bioparticle dielectrophoresis: The Pyramidal Microdevice

A device for the detection of bioparticles (latex beads, cells, proteins, DNA,…) present in a small volume of a liquid sample is described. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is used to enhance the transport of bioparticles towards the reactive surface of the detector. A Pyramidal Microdevice (PM) is designed using numerical simulation. Unlike conventional coplanar electrode microchips, this original 3D configuration is able to collect particles on a surface for both positive and negative DEP. Numerical simulations show the location of the collection zones in the PM according to the DEP mode applied. PM performance is evaluated with the calculation of the collection kinetics. The influence of the voltage is studied. Experiments on PM with latex microparticles confirm calculations. Their replacement by DNA molecules attests to the feasibility of a PM collecting such extremely small particles using DEP.     

New energy-efficient method of electrical propulsion in air by using charged microdroplets

A novel type of thrust system is proposed that operates in air and consists of an emitter of charged droplets and a multigrid electrode system in which the stream of these droplets flows in a constant longitudinal electric field, thereby initiating an air flow. The reactive force caused by the air flow and the efficiency with which the electric current energy is converted into the energy of this flow are estimated. It is shown that if a battery of hydrogen fuel elements is used as a power supply, this method of electrical propulsion makes it possible to reduce energy expenditure more than fourfold as compared to existing propeller vehicles. A feasible scheme is presented for a vehicle using such an engine.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of the response of bi-disperse polyelectrolyte brushes to external electric fields

Langevin dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the response of bi-disperse and strong polyacid chains grafted on an electrode to electric fields generated by opposite surface charges on the polyelectrolyte(PE)-grafted electrode and a second parallel electrode. Simulation results clearly show that, under a negative external electric field, the longer grafted PE chains are more strongly stretched than the shorter ones in terms of the relative change in their respective brush heights. Whereas under a positive external electric field, the grafted shorter chains collapse more significantly than the longer ones. It was found that, under a positive external electric field, the magnitude of the total electric force acting on one shorter PE chain is larger than that on one longer PE chain, or vice versa. The effects of smeared and discrete charge distributions of grafted PE chains on the response of PE brushes to external electric fields were also examined.     

Friction behavior of monolayer molybdenum diselenide nanosheet under normal electric field

The friction behavior of monolayer molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂) under normal electric field was studied by the atomic force microscope. The friction coefficients of MoSe₂ are increasing with bias voltage applied on the Si substrate. The results show that the adhesion and electrostatic forces increase with bias and approximately follow a parabolic law. The friction force and surface potential are of the same tendency with bias application time, and the contribution of charges accumulation to friction is considerable. The mechanisms of the friction behavior under external normal electric field were explained with electrostatic force and adsorption. This study reveals a possibility of electronically controlling friction in two-dimensional MoSe₂ system, with potential applications in solid lubricant and moving parts for MEMS devices.     

Combustion of ethanol fuel droplet in vertical direct current electric field

Flame is affected by an external electric field because it contains ions and electrons related to chemical reactions. On the other hand, the movement of ions and electrons affects the external electric field due to their charge. This paper reports the combustion experiments of ethanol droplets in vertical electric field with variable distance electrodes apparatus in order to discuss the change of the external electric field due to the existence of flame. From a one-dimensional steady-state analysis, if the electric field is changed spatially, its effect on combustion behavior is aligned with V²/L³ and not V/L, where V is the applied voltage between electrodes, and L is distance between the electrodes. The droplet is burned between the two horizontal parallel electrodes. The flame deformation and the electric current are characterized by various electrode distances, and respectively, applied voltages. The vertical electric field induces a body force downwards on the flame. The flame deforms downward in the electric field because the electric body force counters the natural buoyancy. The relation between the applied voltage and electrode distance is investigated when the flame becomes vertically symmetrical and the results show that the deformation is the function of V/L^1.5. This indicates that the change in the electric field should be considered to discuss the effect of an external electric field on combustion behavior. The experimental results are rearranged using εV²/L³ where ε is electric permittivity of air because its unit is N/m³ and it considered to be the representative electric body force. Although its application is limited, qualitatively it can help to explain the experimental results of a droplet combustion. In addition, the degree of electron attachment to neutral molecules is discussed to interpret our experimental results.     

介电力显微镜探测氧化锌纳米线表面吸附分子对电导率的影响

利用场效应晶体管器件和介电力显微镜来研究氧化锌纳米线表面吸附分子对其电导率的影响. 相比于空气中,ZnO纳米线场效应晶体管器件在氮气中电导率更高,介电力显微镜得的介电信号也是在氮气中更大. 影响ZnO纳米线电导率变化的主要原因是表面吸附分子数量的变化,而并不是电极与材料之间接触性质的变化.     

Modeling of cellular pearl chain formation using a double photoconductive layer biochip

A typical double photoconductive layer biochip focusing biological cells and forming specific pearl chains has been studied theoretically in this paper. It was composed of two photoconductive layers coated on the bottom and top of ITO-based glass. A light pattern was used to create face-to-face virtual electrodes and the resulting oscillatory spatial electric field was employed to induce the motion of polarizable neutral particles. In order to estimate the behaviors of the suspended particles, a numerical model including dielectrophoretic forces, dipole–dipole forces and other forces, was implemented by means of the Monte Carlo method. The results indicated that steady-state chains could be formed in a uniform electric field owing to the dipole moment effect. In a non-uniform electric field created by the use of a light pattern, the positive DEP force created a more focused pattern of chains. The work concerning the numerical simulation indicated that this chip could form fixed-length particle chains in perpendicular alignment to satisfy the structured assembly of tissues in the histological engineering application.     

Thermoelectric transport in the three terminal quantum dot

The thermoelectric transport in the system composed of a quantum dot in contact with superconducting, ferromagnetic and normal metal electrodes has been studied. Such a system can support pure spin current in the normal electrode. In the limit of a large superconducting gap and weak coupling between the dot and the electrodes we investigate the sub-gap charge and spin transport via Andreev mechanism using the standard master equation technique, which is known to be valid in the sequential tunnelling regime. The Zeeman splitting of the dot level induces pure spin current in the ferromagnetic electrode under an appropriate bias. This opens a novel possibility to switch the spin current between two electrodes by electric means. The calculated spin and charge thermopower coefficients attain very large values, of the order of a few hundreds μV K(-1), and show similar dependences on the position of the on-dot energy level and temperature.