Rectified Motion of Colloids in Asymmetrically Structured Channels

C. Marquet; A. Buguin; L. Talini; P. Silberzan

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.168301

Rectified Motion of Colloids in Asymmetrically Structured Channels

C. Marquet, A. Buguin, L. Talini, and P. Silberzan

Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 168301 – Published 8 April 2002

Abstract

We set micron size particles into macroscopic motion by submitting them to a low frequency electric field (of zero mean value) in a microfabricated channel exhibiting a topological ratchetlike local polarity. Rectification is induced by the coupling between electrophoresis, electroosmosis, and dielectrophoresis. The macroscopic velocities of the particles are functions of the electric field and of the geometry of the channel; they strongly depend on their size which opens the way to potential separations.

Received 3 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.168301

Authors & Affiliations

C. Marquet¹, A. Buguin¹, L. Talini², and P. Silberzan^1,*

¹Institut Curie, Section de Recherche, UMR CNRS/IC 168, 11, rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75231 Paris cédex 05, France
²FAST, UMR CNRS 7608, bâtiment 502, Université d'Orsay, 91405 Orsay, France