Continuous hydrophoretic separation and sizing of microparticles using slanted obstacles in a microchannel

• DOI: 10.1039/b701227f
• Publication Date: 2007-04-26T13:55:26Z
• Authors: Sungyoung Choi; Je-Kyun Park
• Keywords: Microchannel; Particle (ecology); Polystyrene; Pressure gradient; Bead

We report a microfluidic separation and sizing method of microparticles with hydrophoresis--the movement suspended particles under the influence microstructure-induced pressure field. By exploiting slanted obstacles in microchannel, we can generate lateral gradient so that be deflected arranged along flows induced by gradient. Using such movements particles, completely separated polystyrene microbeads 9 12 microm diameters. Also, discriminated diameter differences approximately 7.3%. Additionally, measured 10.4 beads high coefficient variation compared result conventional laser diffraction method. The obstacle as control element microchannel is analogous to electric, magnetic, optical, or acoustic counterparts their function field Since our based on intrinsic fields, could eliminate need for external potential fields induce particles. Therefore, hydrophoretic will offer new opportunity power-free biocompatible particle within integrated devices.