Design and Coupled Electro-Fluidic Simulation of a Novel Dielectrophoretic Microfilter

Abstract

In this paper a design of a new dielectrophoretic microfilter is proposed, based on electrodes configuration having stairs geometry that multiply the opposite points of electrodes where minimal and maximal values of electric field are obtained. The results of electrostatic simulation show very well defined regions of extremes values where particles can be separated. A model for particle-fluid interaction is used in momentum equation as reaction body force depending on electric field and particle concentration. The fluid flow and particles separation were simulated for positive dielectrophoresis, based on electrostatic results by means of dielectrophoretic velocity and reaction force acting on suspending media. The distribution of particle concentration depends on dielectrophoretic velocity and flow velocity, but also it influences the flow velocity, hence these fields were solved in coupled approach. The resulting flow profile, streamlines and concentration distribution demonstrate that particle migration influences the surrounding fluid and leads to modified velocity distribution by comparison to classical fluid flow.