Numerical investigation of microfluidic flow under AC applied electric field: Enhanced of binding reaction for a biosensor

Binding reaction is a natural characteristic that is applied to design biosensors. In this study we simulate the binding reaction kinetics between the immobilized antibody and the targeted antigen in a reaction chamber (microchannel) of a biosensor under AC applied electric field. The diffusion boundary layer on the sensitive area of the biosensor would hinder the binding reaction from association and dissociation. We studied the influence of the shape and position of reaction surface under AC applied voltage on the binding reaction. The electrothermal force, produced by the AC electric field can induce a pair of vortices to stir the flow field over the reacting surface allowing accelerate the binding reaction. Our approach may contribute to efficient development and optimization of a biosensor for medical applications.