Droplet creation using liquid dielectrophoresis

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is defined as polarizable particles moving into regions of higher electric field intensity. In liquid DEP (LDEP), a dielectric liquid tends to flow toward regions of high electric field intensity under a non-uniform electric field. This work presents a theoretical model of LDEP based on parallel electrodes. The LDEP force is derived using the lump parameter electromechanical method. The relationship between the minimum actuation voltage and the electrode width is investigated experimentally and theoretically. We also propose a method for creating a 20 nl droplet of deionized water using LDEP. The creation of a water droplet containing 15 μm polystyrene beads is placed at the desired location from a continuous flow driven by LDEP using the developed method.