Modeling of dielectrophoretic particle motion: Point particle versus finite‐sized particle

Abstract

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a very popular technique for microfluidic bio‐particle manipulation. For the design of a DEP‐based microfluidic device, simulation of the particle trajectory within the microchannel network is crucial. There are basically two approaches: (i) point‐particle approach and (ii) finite‐sized particle approach. In this study, many aspects of both approaches are discussed for the simulation of direct current DEP, alternating current DEP, and traveling‐wave DEP applications. Point‐particle approach is implemented using Lagrangian tracking method, and finite‐sized particle is implemented using boundary element method. The comparison of the point‐particle approach and finite‐sized particle approach is presented for different DEP applications. Moreover, the effect of particle–particle interaction is explored by simulating the motion of closely packed multiple particles for the same applications, and anomalous‐DEP, which is a result of particle–wall interaction at the close vicinity of electrode surface, is illustrated.