Simulation-Based Analysis of Dielectrophoretic Field Flow Fractionation Devices

Simulation of microfluidic devices is very difficult due to the interaction and coupling between multiple energy domains. This article presents an innovative technique to simulate dielectrophoretic forces and laminar flows in microfluidic devices. Lab-on-a-chip systems, or biochips, are one of the fastest growing sectors in the life sciences industry. These systems employ miniaturization of biological separation and assay techniques to enable multiple, complex analyses on a single chip. Separation of micron-sized particles and cells is critical in many biochemical-analysis and high-throughput-screening applications. Field flow fractionation (FFF) using dielectrophoresis (DEP) is fast becoming an established methodology for sorting and manipulating particles and cells.