Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces
First Claim
1. A method for moving particles suspended at an interface between an electrode and electrolyte solution comprising the following steps:
- providing a first electrode positioned in a first plane, and a second electrode positioned in a second plane different from the first plane, an electrolyte solution located therebetween and a plurality of particles suspended in the electrolyte solution, wherein the second electrode comprises a planar electrode having a surface and an interior, the surface or interior having been modified to produce spatial modulations in electrochemical properties of the second electrode; and
generating an electric field at an interface between the electrolyte solution and the second electrode to effect movement of the particles, wherein the movement of the particles at the interface is in accordance with the electric field in combination with the spatial modulations in the properties of the second electrode, said properties affecting the local distribution of the electric field at the interface.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the present invention provides a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components.
106 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for moving particles suspended at an interface between an electrode and electrolyte solution comprising the following steps:
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providing a first electrode positioned in a first plane, and a second electrode positioned in a second plane different from the first plane, an electrolyte solution located therebetween and a plurality of particles suspended in the electrolyte solution, wherein the second electrode comprises a planar electrode having a surface and an interior, the surface or interior having been modified to produce spatial modulations in electrochemical properties of the second electrode; and
generating an electric field at an interface between the electrolyte solution and the second electrode to effect movement of the particles, wherein the movement of the particles at the interface is in accordance with the electric field in combination with the spatial modulations in the properties of the second electrode, said properties affecting the local distribution of the electric field at the interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling the movement of an electrolyte solution comprising the following steps:
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providing a first electrode positioned in a first plane, and a second electrode positioned in a second plane different from the first plane, and an electrolyte solution located therebetween, wherein the second electrode comprises a planar electrode having a surface and an interior, the surface or interior having been modified to produce spatial modulations in electrochemical properties of the second electrode; and
generating an electric field at an interface between the electrolyte solution and the second electrode to create fluid flow of the electrolyte solution having a velocity, said velocity having a magnitude determined by said electric field and a direction determined by said spatial modulations in the properties of the second electrode, said properties affecting the local distribution of the electric field at the interface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification