(179e) Improving the Design of Insulator-Based Dielectrophoretic Devices: Effect of Insulator Posts Characteristics

Insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) employs arrays of electrically insulator posts to create dielectrophoretic forces that affect particle movement. The trapping performance of iDEP devices involves a careful balance between electrokinetics (EK) and dielectrophoresis (DEP), where the design of the insulator posts is crucial for their performance. However, the a priori selection of an optimal design is challenging, given the large combinatory of geometrical parameters (e.g., shape, length and width) and arrangement (e.g., lateral and longitudinal spacing) of the insulator posts. A parametric variation study was conducted to elucidate the set of design parameters that improve the trapping capacity of iDEP devices. The experimental trapping capacity of a set of pseudo-optimal designs is presented and discussed. The findings from this work provide a systematic approach towards the design of high performance iDEP devices for their lab-on-a-chip integration.