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.

A method includes introducing a crude oil process stream into an electro-kinetic separator (EKS), passing the crude oil process stream through an electric field generated by the EKS, and removing at least a portion of salt and solid particles from the crude oil process stream as the crude oil process stream passes through the electric field. A product stream is discharged from the EKS with reduced salt and solid particle count as compared to the crude oil process stream.

A method for removing suspended particles from fluids in an electrostatic separator is provided. Porous materials can be utilized within the electrostatic separator to promote separation of the suspended particles from the fluids. Small particles of catalyst material which may be entrained in a fluid stream (such as an oil) may be filtered, or captured, from the fluid stream and retained by the porous materials including reticulates.

Optically-actuated microfluidic devices permit the use of spatially-modulated light to manipulate micro-objects such as biological cells. Systems and methods are described for providing sequences of light patterns to move and direct a plurality of micro-objects within the environment of a microfluidic device. The sequenced light patterns provide improved efficiency in directing the transport of the plurality of micro-objects. Other embodiments are described.

A biological sorting apparatus is disclosed, which includes a light-induced dielectrophoretic chip, a supporting platform, an injecting unit and a projection module. The light-induced dielectrophoretic chip is configured to generate an internal electric field to perform sorting on a fluid including first microparticles and second microparticles. The supporting platform is utilized to support the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip thereon and has an opening. The injecting unit is configured to inject the fluid into the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip. The projection module is disposed below the supporting platform and is configured to project a light pattern onto a projection area of the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip through the opening of the supporting platform, such that the light-induced dielectrophoretic chip produces a light-induced effect to change the internal electric field, thereby sorting out the first microparticles and the second microparticles.

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.

Embodiments of the invention include a microfluidic device, which comprises a substrate with a channel defined therein, on an upper surface of the substrate, wherein a bottom wall of the channel comprises several contiguous steps having an asymmetric profile along a main direction of the channel, so as to form a ratchet topography. The device further comprises a lid, opposite to and at a distance from the upper surface of the substrate, so as to face the bottom wall of the channel. The bottom wall and the lid are designed to allow like sign charges to accumulate thereat, in presence of a polar liquid confined in the channel between the bottom wall and the lid, so as to allow displacement of nanoscale particles in the polar liquid, along said main direction of the channel, under application of an alternating force to said nanoscale particles, in operation of the device.

Apparatuses and processes for use in electrostatic filtration are provided. The apparatuses and processes provided herein promote effective and efficient removal of solid matters even in feeds containing a relatively substantial amount of water through the use of a water spreading resistant coating.

Embodiments of the invention include a microfluidic device, which comprises a substrate with a channel defined therein, on an upper surface of the substrate, wherein a bottom wall of the channel comprises several contiguous steps having an asymmetric profile along a main direction of the channel, so as to form a ratchet topography. The device further comprises a lid, opposite to and at a distance from the upper surface of the substrate, so as to face the bottom wall of the channel. The bottom wall and the lid are designed to allow like sign charges to accumulate thereat, in presence of a polar liquid confined in the channel between the bottom wall and the lid, so as to allow displacement of nanoscale particles in the polar liquid, along said main direction of the channel, under application of an alternating force to said nanoscale particles, in operation of the device.

A manipulation unit adapted for manipulating a biological particle is provided. The manipulation unit comprises a substrate, a core electrode, an internal electrode, an external electrode and an insulating layer. The core electrode, the internal electrode, the external electrode and the insulating layer are configured on the substrate. The core electrode includes a core working electrode. The internal electrode includes a plurality of first working electrodes and a first connecting electrode electrically connected to the first working electrodes. The external electrode includes a plurality of second working electrodes and a second connecting electrode electrically connected to the second working electrodes. The first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode are covered by the insulating layer. The core working electrode, the first working electrodes and the second working electrodes are respectively protruded from the insulating layer. The core working electrode is surrounded by the first working electrodes and the first working electrodes are surrounded by the second working electrodes.