Low-Cost Dielectrophoresis-Based Microfluidic Chip for Label-Free Particle Separation with 3D Electrodes

In this article, an easy and low-cost fabrication method for microfluidic chips with 3D electrodes is proposed. As an application of this method, the fabricated chip has been employed as a particle separator using the dielectrophoresis force. This new design does not require a sheath current, and the separation can be done only by using an injection pump, which reduces cost and complexity. The developed microfluidic channel and electrodes are engraved simultaneously using a laser, and therefore the depth of the channel and the electrodes are equal, which increases the efficiency of the chip. Then the electrodes' engraved regions were filled up by silver paste to the level of that of the microchannel. This structure is used to separate live and dead yeast cells using dielectrophoresis force, generated efficiently throughout the channel using 3D electrodes. Simulations and experimental results, both confirm the effective performance of the microfluidic chip in this design.