Design and Simulation of Two-Stage Dielectrophoretic Separation for Various Biomolecules in Lab-on-Chip Applications

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a burgeoning development of microfluidic platforms catering to point-of-care diagnostics within the biomedical realm. The segregation of blood cells and plasma stands as a crucial aspect of medical diagnosis, particularly in the analysis of diseases associated with thrombocytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia. To address this need, a novel Double-microfluidic device has been introduced, focused on the continuous separation of platelets (PLTs), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and plasma utilizing the negative dielectrophoresis (DEP) force principle. The device design, explored using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5, features triangular micro-tip electrodes generating a nonuniform electrical field with minimal AC voltage. Through negative DEP force, blood cells are deflected towards their respective outlets, thereby enhancing separation purity and efficiency. Experimental results indicate optimal conditions at a blood sample flow velocity of 50 µm/s and buffer solution flow velocity of 109 µm/s with a 1 Vpp electrode voltage.This innovative approach holds promise for advancing biomedical diagnostics in a range of clinical settings.