Paper Title
Dielectrophoretic Manipulation Of A Single Particle In A Microfluidic Chip: Experimental Observation And Comsol Simulation

Abstract
This paper presents a unique design of patterned electrodes in a microfluidic chip for a single particle manipulation based on dielectrophoresis (DEP). The DEP chip, which is newly developed for the study of ‘same-single-cell analysis by accumulation’ (SASCA-A), provides better stability for particle trapping. This microchip consists of a retention structure and three platinum electrodes which are embedded on the bottom of the particle retention area. The position of the particle, such as a fluorescent polystyrene bead, is controlled by the high-frequency alternating voltages generated at the electrodes. The effects of frequency and magnitude of the applied voltage on the bead’s position have been investigated in detail. By the balancing of negative DEP force, and drag force, the polystyrene bead has been successfully trapped between two electrodes under the optimal conditions (18.5 Vpp, 9 MHz). To help understand the dynamics of DEP manipulation of the polystyrene bead in a microchip device, three-dimensional (3D) COMSOL Multiphysics simulations with the particle tracing model have been employed. The simulation results are consistent with microscopic observations. This DEP chip design is scalable and suitable for shuttling and measuring a particle including a cancer cell.