This disclosure provides for an improved electrostatic filtration system for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid that overcomes arcing concerns, resistance burns and fluid flow concerns. The system has three major elements: an electrostatic filtration cartridge; an electrostatic filtration cartridge housing; and an electrostatic filtration system housing. It is within the electrostatic filtration cartridge where the apparatus and method for addressing the arcing concerns and fluid flow concerns reside. The electrostatic filtration cartridge includes at least one set of m conductive plates (m set) and at least one set of n conductive plates (n set). Within the sets (m set and n set) of conductive plates, the conductive plates are directly coupled by a series of conductive connecting portions. Each individual conductive plate includes a cutaway portion to avoid electrical contact between one set of conductive plates and an adjacent conductive connecting portion within another set of conductive plates.

This disclosure provides for an improved electrostatic filtration system for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid that overcomes arcing concerns, resistance burns and fluid flow concerns. The system has three major elements: an electrostatic filtration cartridge; an electrostatic filtration cartridge housing; and an electrostatic filtration system housing. It is within the electrostatic filtration cartridge where the apparatus and method for addressing the arcing concerns and fluid flow concerns reside. The electrostatic filtration cartridge includes at least one set of m conductive plates (m set) and at least one set of n conductive plates (n set). Within the sets (m set and n set) of conductive plates, the conductive plates are directly coupled by a series of conductive connecting portions. Each individual conductive plate includes a cutaway portion to avoid electrical contact between one set of conductive plates and an adjacent conductive connecting portion within another set of conductive plates.

Methods, systems and kits are described herein for detecting the results of an assay. In particular, the methods, systems and devices of the present disclosure rely on a difference between the diffusion rates of a reporter molecule and an analyte of interest in order to quantify an amount of analyte in a microfluidic device. The analyte may be a secreted product of a biological micro-object.

Methods and apparatus for the selection or processing of particles sensitive to the application of an external stimulus to rupture/lysis at least one selected particle or the fusion of first and second selected particles are disclosed herein. Particles are organized using a first field of force by selectively energizing electrodes of an array of selectable electrodes having dimensions comparable to or smaller than those of the particles. A first configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes; and then a second configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes, so as to create a second field of force, located substantially close to at least one selected particle to be lysated or to a pair of first and second particles to be fused and such as to produce the application of a stimulus suited to produce their lysis or fusion.

An apparatus for separating an analyte from a test sample, such as bacteria from blood components, based on their dielectric properties, localizing or condensing the analyte, flushing substantially all remaining waste products from the test sample, and detecting low concentrations of the analyte. The module array includes a plurality of microfluidic channels with connecting microfluidic waste channels for directing undesired material away from the analyte. An electric field is applied causing a positive dielectrophoretic force to the analyte to capture the analyte. The electric field is applied to at least one electrode having a plurality of concentric rings or concentric arcs extending radially outwards from a center point, electrically connected to a voltage source such that when voltage is applied to the at least one electrode, the concentric rings or concentric arcs alternate in voltage potential.

Methods and apparatus for detection and/or identification of analytes including bacteria using dielectrophoresis and electroosmotic traps. Switching between different frequencies of an applied electric field results in movement of the analyte between dielectrophoresis and electroosmotic trapping states. The use of edge-based sensing techniques enables the use of electrodes with a larger form factor than nanowire sensors. Signal modulation based on analyte contact with the electrode edge is also described.

Methods and apparatus for detection and/or identification of analytes including bacteria using dielectrophoresis and electroosmotic traps. Switching between different frequencies of an applied electric field results in movement of the analyte between dielectrophoresis and electroosmotic trapping states. The use of edge-based sensing techniques enables the use of electrodes with a larger form factor than nanowire sensors. Signal modulation based on analyte contact with the electrode edge is also described.

Provided is a concentration device suitable for dielectrophoresis. The concentration device comprises a first substrate, a second substrate provided so as to face the first substrate, a flow path formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first pillar electrode line disposed in the flow path and including a left-side first pillar electrode L (301L), a right-side first pillar electrode R (301R), and one second pillar electrode B (302B), and a second pillar electrode line disposed in the flow path and including one second pillar electrode A (302A). The value of L3 is not less than 5 micrometers, where L3 is equal to (A1−A2), A1 represents a distance between a second vertex Q2 of the second pillar electrode A and a center point O; and A2 represents a distance between the first vertex Q1 of the second pillar electrode B and the center point O.

An electrode apparatus and method remove a polarized molecule in a fluid. In another aspect, a non-uniform electric field is created between an anode and a cathode, the fluid flows within a gap between the cathode and the anode, and the polarized molecule is driven by an electrostatic force to and adsorbed on the anode without experiencing a chemical reaction.

A microfluidic apparatus can comprise a dielectrophoresis (DEP) configured section for holding a first liquid medium and selectively inducing net DEP forces in the first liquid medium. The microfluidic apparatus can also comprise an electrowetting (EW) configured section for holding a second liquid medium on an electrowetting surface and selectively changing an effective wetting property of the electrowetting surface. The DEP configured section can be utilized to select and move a micro-object in the first liquid medium. The EW configured section can be utilized to pull a droplet of the first liquid medium into the second liquid medium.