dielectrophoresis

Dielectrophoresis is a phenomenon where a non-uniform electric field exerts a force on a dielectric material. This force causes the material to move in response to the electric field gradient. Unlike electrophoresis, which relies on the charge of particles, dielectrophoresis acts on neutral particles by inducing dipoles within them. The direction of the dielectrophoretic force depends on the dielectric properties of the particle relative to the surrounding medium and the frequency of the applied electric field. If the particle is more polarizable than the medium, it will be attracted to regions of higher electric field strength. Conversely, if the medium is more polarizable, the particle will be repelled from these regions. This effect is widely used in various applications, including the manipulation and separation of cells, particles, and molecules. It finds utility in microfluidic devices for biosensing, particle sorting, and assembling microstructures. The underlying principle involves the interaction between induced dipole moments and the non-uniform electric field.