Electrodeless dielectrophoresis for micro total analysis systems

Several examples where a sample-to-answer, lab-on-a-chip chemical analysis system may benefit from EDEP technology in upstream sample preparation (cell sorting, cell lysing, DNA concentration, and purification) and in a back-end detection platform for hybridization and sensitivity enhancement were presented. The simplicity of the device and the lack of metallic electrodes at the trap, which cause electrochemical reactions involving gas evolution, made possible the investigation of the response of biological objects in a wide range of frequencies, especially the low-frequency regime. Above all, EDEP may be seamlessly integrated with the metallic DEP layout, this increasing the flexibility in custom-tailored chip design.