Micro and Nano Particle Manipulation Using Optically Modulated Electrokinetic Flows

Recently, we have demonstrated an optically induced AC electrokinetic technique that rapidly, continuously and selectively concentrates colloids on an electrode surface [1–3]. This is demonstrated with a highly focused near-infrared (1,064 nm) laser beam applied to parallel plate electrodes separated by 50 μm without any additional surface modification or patterning of the electrodes. This dynamic optically-induced technique can be applied towards a variety of lab-on-a-chip applications. This paper will explain its physical mechanisms and showcase recent results regarding its particle sorting capabilities. This dynamic, optically induced fluid and particle manipulation technique could be used for a variety of lab-on-a-chip applications.