Title: Dielectrophoretic columnar focusing device

Abstract

A dielectrophoretic columnar focusing device uses interdigitated microelectrodes to provide a spatially non-uniform electric field in a fluid that generates a dipole within particles in the fluid. The electric field causes the particles to either be attracted to or repelled from regions where the electric field gradient is large, depending on whether the particles are more or less polarizable than the fluid. The particles can thereby be forced into well defined stable paths along the interdigitated microelectrodes. The device can be used for flow cytometry, particle control, and other process applications, including cell counting or other types of particle counting, and for separations in material control.

Inventors:

James, Conrad D ^[1]; Galambos, Paul C ^[1]; Derzon, Mark S ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Tijeras, NM

Issue Date:

Tue May 11 00:00:00 EDT 2010

Research Org.:

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

985227

Patent Number(s):

7713395

Application Number:

11/401,714

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B03 - SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS B03C - MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B03 - SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS B03C - MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS

B03C5/026 - {using open-gradient differential dielectric separation, i.e. using electrodes of special shapes for non-uniform field creation, e.g. Fluid Integrated Circuit [FIC]}

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION