Optimal Separation Times in a Couette-Based Separation Device: an Area Averaging Approach with Orthogonal Fields

Separation of biomacromolecules for medical diagnostics is a multi-million dollar effort. Even the slightest increase in separation efficiency has a very healthy impact on the process or application. The role of orthogonal fields (Ù) in optimal separation time (t_op)is studied for Couette-based separations. The area-averaging approach has been used to determine the effective velocity and effective diffusivity for the system after the hydrodynamic velocity has been calculated. Based on the predictive equation for the optimal separation time of two typical macromolecules, illustrations have been obtained for the effect of the different fundamental parameters on such a time. As shown by the model, the orthogonal electrical field causes the optimal separation time of two macromolecules to decrease. These results can be used to design optimal conditions of a Couette-based system. Discussion on future research options will be included in the poster presentation