• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.261-264
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• 2009

We present a three-dimensional (3D) particle focusing channel using the positive dielectrophoresis (pDEP) guided by a dielectric structure between two planar electrodes. The dielectric structure between two planar electrodes induces the maximum electric field at the center of the microchannel, and particles are focused to the center of the microchannel by pDEP as they flow from the single sample injection port. Compared to the previous 3D particle focusing methods, the present device achieves the simple and effective particle focusing function without any additional fluidic ports and top electrodes. In the experimental study, approximately 90 % focusing efficiency were achieved within the focusing length of 2mm, on both x-z plane (top-view) and y-z plane (side-view) for $2{\mu}m$-diameter polystyrene (PS) bead at the applied voltage over 15 Vp-p (square wave) and at the flow rate below 0.01 ${\mu}l$/min. The present 3D particle focusing channel results in a simple particle focusing method suitable for use in integrated microbiochemical analysis system.