Electroosmotic flow in dielectrophoresis-formed microchannel

We have demonstrated the electroosmotic flow (EOF) pumping in a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-formed virtual microchannel by applying a DC electric field across the microchannel. The geometry of wall-less virtual microchannel was determined by the electrode patterns. A test device with single-layer electrode on both top and bottom plates are prepared by photolithography to generate an appropriate electric field and form a virtual channel on the chip. Neutral fluorescent polystyrene beads are used to indicate the velocity of EOF. Liquid pumping at the velocity of 219.39 μm/s is achieved when the applied DC electric field is 26.67 V/cm.