Membraneless microseparation by asymmetry in curvilinear laminar flows

• Journal of Chromatography A

Membraneless microseparation by asymmetric inertial migration is studied in curvilinear laminar flows and evidence of the microseparation is presented. Along a curvilinear laminar flow, transverse particle migration involves competition between three shear-flow effects; the tubular pinch effect, centrifugal force, and Dean's vortex. Equilibrating control of migration allows for particle separation to different outlets. No filter-media or external force is necessary for the microseparation utilizing only shear-flow characteristics. A double-spiral design effectively controls the migration to optimize microseparation. The concentration ratio of 10 ¥ìm beads from the two different outlets was 660 times at 92 mm/s of flow velocity. This new technology has great potential for high-throughput and low cost in bio-agent and particulate separation at both macro and micro scales.

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citation

Seo, J. ; Lean, M. ; Kole, A. Membraneless microseparation by asymmetry in curvilinear laminar flows. Journal of Chromatography A. 2007 August; 1162 (2): 126-131.