Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia.
Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
Biosensors (Basel). 2019 Feb 26;9(1):30. doi: 10.3390/bios9010030.
Discussing the topic of the capability of dielectrophoresis (DEP) devices in terms of the selective detection and rapid manipulation of particles based on the DEP force (F) via contactless methods is challenging in medical research, drug discovery and delivery. Nonetheless, the process of the selective detection and rapid manipulation of particles via contactless DEP based on dielectric particles and the surrounding medium can reduce the effects of major issues, including physical contact with the particles and medium contamination to overcome operational difficulties. In this review, DEP microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microelectrodes with a tapered profile for the selective detection and rapid manipulation of particles were studied and compared with those of conventional designs with a straight-cut profile. The main objective of this manuscript is to review the versatile mechanism of tapered DEP MEMS microelectrodes for the purpose of selective detection and rapid manipulation. Thus, this review provides a versatile filtration mechanism with the potential for a glomerular-based membrane in an artificial kidneys' development solution for implementing engineered particles and cells by lateral attraction as well as vertical repulsion in the development of lab-on-a-chip applications. For tapered DEP MEMS microelectrodes, the scope of this study methodology involved the characterisation of DEP, modelling of the polarisation factor and the dynamic dielectric changes between the particles and medium. Comprehensive discussions are presented on the capability of tapered DEP microelectrodes to drive the selected particles and the simulation, fabrication and testing of the tapered profile. This study revealed an outstanding performance with the capability of producing two regions of high electric field intensity at the bottom and top edges of the side wall of tapered microelectrodes. Observations on particle separation mainly by the lateral attraction force of particles with positive DEP on the y-axis and vertical repulsion force of particles with negative DEP on the z-axis proved an efficient and uniform F produced by tapered electrodes. In conclusion, this study confirmed the reliability and efficiency of the tapered DEP microelectrodes in the process of selective detection and rapid manipulation at a higher efficiency rate than straight-cut microelectrodes, which is significant in DEP technology applications.
在医学研究、药物发现和输送中，讨论基于介电泳力（DEP）的无接触方法的 DEP 器件在基于介电粒子和周围介质的粒子的选择性检测和快速操纵方面的能力是具有挑战性的。然而，基于介电粒子和周围介质的无接触 DEP 的粒子的选择性检测和快速操纵过程可以减少包括与粒子和介质的物理接触以及操作困难的污染等主要问题的影响。在这篇综述中，研究了具有锥形轮廓的用于选择性检测和快速操纵粒子的 DEP 微机电系统（MEMS）微电极，并与具有直切轮廓的传统设计进行了比较。本文的主要目的是综述锥形 DEP MEMS 微电极的多功能机制，用于选择性检测和快速操纵。因此，本综述提供了一种多功能的过滤机制，具有基于肾小球的膜的潜力，用于人工肾脏开发解决方案，以通过侧向吸引以及垂直排斥在微流控芯片应用的开发中实现工程化粒子和细胞。对于锥形 DEP MEMS 微电极，本研究方法的范围涉及 DEP 的特性、极化因子的建模以及粒子和介质之间的动态介电变化。全面讨论了锥形 DEP 微电极驱动所选粒子的能力以及锥形轮廓的模拟、制造和测试。本研究揭示了一种出色的性能，能够在锥形微电极的侧壁的底部和顶部边缘产生两个高强度电场区域。观察到的粒子分离主要是由于 y 轴上带正 DEP 的粒子的侧向吸引力和 z 轴上带负 DEP 的粒子的垂直排斥力，证明了锥形电极产生的高效且均匀的 F。总之，本研究证实了锥形 DEP 微电极在选择性检测和快速操纵过程中的可靠性和效率，其效率高于直切微电极，这在 DEP 技术应用中是重要的。
