Movement of blood cells in liquid by nonuniform traveling field

A study of the motion of biological cells in aqueous solution using a traveling-field-type electric curtain device is performed. Cells driven by such a device undergo circular motions induced by the rotating traveling field, and as a result of field nonuniformity and drift in the direction of the wave propagation. Electrolytic dissociations of the aqueous medium are avoided by limiting the applied voltage below the theoretical dissociation voltage, while the field strength necessary for the actuation of the cell motion is insured by making the electrode dimensions as small as 100 mu m. The experiments are performed using sheep erythrocytes. The device shows a maximum performance with six-phase voltage of frequency 3 Hz and amplitude 1.5 V, where the transport of cells takes place without perceivable damage to the cells.<>