Particle entrapment as a feedback effect

TL;DR

This paper investigates how particles in a suspension can induce a feedback loop through fluid flow under dielectrophoresis, leading to particle entrapment even at low concentrations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the significance of particle-induced fluid flow feedback effects in dielectrophoretic systems, a factor often overlooked in prior studies.

Findings

Particle-induced fluid flow can cause particle entrapment.

Feedback effects are significant even at low particle concentrations.

Steady fluid flow results from particle motion under DEP forces.

Abstract

We consider a suspension of polarizable particles under the action of traveling wave dielectrophoresis (DEP) and focus on particle induced effects. In a situation where the particles are driven by the DEP force, but no external forces are exerted on the fluid, the joint motion of the particles can induce a steady fluid flow, which leads to particle entrapment. This feedback effect is proven to be non-negligible even for small volume concentration of particles.