Electric Field Gradient and its Implications in Microfabricated Post Arrays

• Author / Creator

  Kazemlou, Shokoufeh

• The sources of inducing field gradients and their implications are investigated inside the microfabricated post arrays. A parametric study is conducted to understand how the posts arrangements, distance, and size change the field and field gradients. The results provide criteria where the assumption of a uniform field is valid, which can have important implications for designing microfluidic units.
  The DC dielectrophoretic and electrophoretic effects on the concentration of particles through the uniformly patterned arrays of posts are also evaluated. A mathematical model is solved by using a finite element scheme in order to evaluate the electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces exerted on the particles. The relative magnitude of these forces is presented as a measure for predicting the fate of the particles within the microfabricated array structures. The results provide an insight into the governing particle transport mechanisms in a micro scale environment in the presence of externally applied electric fields.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Microfabricated Post Arrays
  • Dielectrophoresis
  • Electrophoresis

• Graduation date

  Spring 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R31W38

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.