Automated Dielectrophoretic Characterization for Microfluidic Cell Separation Devices

We present a novel analysis technique for automated characterization of particles and cells using dielectrophoresis (DEP). We combine an automated experimental system to measure DEP particle trapping via fluorescence intensity with physically informed computational methods and sophisticated particle models to make robust measurements of DEP force magnitude. The system uses a LabVIEW-controlled function generator to apply potentials across a frequency spectrum to interdigitated array electrodes that attract and trap flowing particles via DEP. We have modeled, tested, and refined this system using fluorescently labeled polystyrene particles and Escherichia coli, and have performed novel DEP characterization of Mycobacterium species for potential applications in tuberculosis research.