Sub-micrometer bioparticles are separated by size in a microfluidic channel utilizing a ratchet migration mechanism. A structure within the microfluidic channel includes an array of micro-posts arranged in laterally shifted rows. Reservoirs are disposed at each end of the microfluidic channel. A biased AC potential is applied across the channel via electrodes immersed into fluid in each of the reservoirs to induce a non-uniform electric field through the microfluidic channel. The applied potential comprises a first waveform with a first frequency that induces electro-kinetic flow of sub-micrometer bioparticles in the microfluidic channel, and an intermittent superimposed second waveform with a higher frequency. The second waveform selectively induces a dielectrophoretic trapping force to selectively impart ratchet migration based on particle size for separating the sub-micrometer bioparticles by size in the microfluidic channel.

One or more electrodes are attached to an electrically permeable substrate attached to an incubator and energized with A.C. signals, D.C. signals or both A.C. and D.C signals. E-fields emitted from the electrodes pass through the substrate and into the incubator. The e-fields generate or apply dielectrophoresis (DEP) forces on small particles suspended in a liquid inside the incubator. The strength and direction of the DEP forces are controlled and manipulated by the manipulating the signals and can manipulate the motion of the suspended particles. The shapes of the electrodes help shape the generated e-fields and facilitate complex movements of the suspended particles. The suspended particles can be stem cells in a nutrient rich solution.

A propulsion system for an orbiting vehicle such as a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes a set of surfaces over which a gas passes during orbital flight, and a plurality of electrodes on the surfaces. The electrodes are configured to create an electric field having a spatial field pattern in response to field signals, experienced by passing gas molecules as an oscillating field having a frequency on the order of a polarization-resonance frequency of the molecules to impart a propulsive traveling-wave dielectrophoretic force to the passing molecules. The electrodes extend over sufficient area to impart sufficient traveling-wave dielectrophoretic force to the gas to overcome aerodynamic drag and thereby sustain orbital flight of the vehicle. A power source applies the field signals to the electrodes, providing sufficient power to overcome power lost to aerodynamic drag and thereby sustain orbital flight.

A method for dielectrophoresis includes applying an electric field across a micro-fluidic chamber with an alternating current (AC), trapping the target particles on the at least one carrier particle, transporting the target particles from a first location in the chamber to a second location in the chamber distanced from the first location with the at least one carrier particle and dynamically controlling the trapping and the transporting based on remotely applying forces on the at least one carrier particle. The trapping is based on localized gradients of the electric field induced by the carrier particle. The applied electric field is uniform absent a carrier particle present in the micro-fluidic chamber. The micro-fluidic chamber contains an electrolyte-solution with suspended target particles and at least one carrier particle freely floating on or in the electrolyte-solution.

Sub-micrometer bioparticles are separated by size in a microfluidic channel utilizing a ratchet migration mechanism. A structure within the microfluidic channel includes an array of micro-posts arranged in laterally shifted rows. Reservoirs are disposed at each end of the microfluidic channel. A biased AC potential is applied across the channel via electrodes immersed into fluid in each of the reservoirs to induce a non-uniform electric field through the microfluidic channel. The applied potential comprises a first waveform with a first frequency that induces electro-kinetic flow of sub-micrometer bioparticles in the microfluidic channel, and an intermittent superimposed second waveform with a higher frequency. The second waveform selectively induces a dielectrophoretic trapping force to selectively impart ratchet migration based on particle size for separating the sub-micrometer bioparticles by size in the microfluidic channel.

Sub-micrometer bioparticles are separated by size in a microfluidic channel utilizing a ratchet migration mechanism. A structure within the microfluidic channel includes an array of micro-posts arranged in laterally shifted rows. Reservoirs are disposed at each end of the microfluidic channel. A biased AC potential is applied across the channel via electrodes immersed into fluid in each of the reservoirs to induce a non-uniform electric field through the microfluidic channel. The applied potential comprises a first waveform with a first frequency that induces electro-kinetic flow of sub-micrometer bioparticles in the microfluidic channel, and an intermittent superimposed second waveform with a higher frequency. The second waveform selectively induces a dielectrophoretic trapping force to selectively impart ratchet migration based on particle size for separating the sub-micrometer bioparticles by size in the microfluidic channel.

A propulsion system for an orbiting vehicle such as a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes a set of surfaces over which a gas passes during orbital flight, and a plurality of electrodes on the surfaces. The electrodes are configured to create an electric field having a spatial field pattern in response to field signals, experienced by passing gas molecules as an oscillating field having a frequency on the order of a polarization-resonance frequency of the molecules to impart a propulsive traveling-wave dielectrophoretic force to the passing molecules. The electrodes extend over sufficient area to impart sufficient traveling-wave dielectrophoretic force to the gas to overcome aerodynamic drag and thereby sustain orbital flight of the vehicle. A power source applies the field signals to the electrodes, providing sufficient power to overcome power lost to aerodynamic drag and thereby sustain orbital flight.

One or more electrodes are attached to an electrically permeable substrate attached to an incubator and energized with A.C. signals, D.C. signals or both A.C. and D.C signals. E-fields emitted from the electrodes pass through the substrate and into the incubator. The e-fields generate or apply dielectrophoresis (DEP) forces on small particles suspended in a liquid inside the incubator. The strength and direction of the DEP forces are controlled and manipulated by the manipulating the signals and can manipulate the motion of the suspended particles. The shapes of the electrodes help shape the generated e-fields and facilitate complex movements of the suspended particles. The suspended particles can be stem cells in a nutrient rich solution.

In one example, a system to clean imaging oil from a cleaning station in an LEP printer includes an electrode plate, an electrode belt rotatable in a loop past the electrode plate, a channel to carry unfiltered imaging oil from the cleaning station between the electrode plate and the electrode belt, and a voltage source operatively connected to the electrodes to establish an electric field that causes waste in the imaging oil between the electrodes to attach to the belt.

A method for determining a treatment response of cells is provided with steps of providing a un-treated first sample and a treated second sample; applying an electric signal to the first sample and the second sample; obtaining a first motion parameter of the first sample and a second motion parameter of the second sample in the electric signal, respectively; and comparing the first motion parameter and the second motion parameter to determine whether there is a difference. The difference represents that the treatment response exists.