Design Of DC-Dielectrophoresis Microfluidic Channel For Particle and Biological Cell Separation Using 3D Printed PVA Material

In this study, the separation of cultured cancer cells from polystyrene beads can be performed by implementing direct current dielectrophoresis (DC-DEP) in microfluidic LOC devices. The microchannels are designed for a continuous separation of cells and polystyrene beads. Simulation and empirical studies are carried out onto three different microfluidic LOC designs to understand and determine the separation efficiency of cancer cells (Raji cells) from fluorescent polystyrene beads. For simulation, the flow pattern inside the microchannels are studied and compared. All the microfluidic separation designs allowed laminar flow and there are no vortexes formed, which contribute to no trapping of cells in the channel. The microfluidic LOC devices are fabricated using 3D-printed PVA as scaffold to form the microchannels. PVA was chosen to fabricate the scaffold due to its ease of removal from the PDMS. The optimum separation efficiency difference between outlet 1 and 3 found in the empirical study is 20.85% in design C, with the application of three pairs of electrodes that produce more dielectrophoretic forces to the sample fluid consists of Raji cells and fluorescent polystyrene beads. The separation of Raji cells and fluorescent polystyrene beads using DC-DEP are successfully performed by all three microfluidic LOC devices. Design C produce the best results due to the higher dielectrophoretic forces in the channel.