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Workshop proceeding - final.pdf - Faculty of Information and ...

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Figure 9. Particle separation progress observed from the frequency <strong>of</strong> 100 Hz to 100 kHz. (A): at 100<br />

Hz, both microparticles <strong>and</strong> MWCNTs were experiencing strong positive DEP forces; (B): at 1 kHz,<br />

positive DEP forces were weaker, (C): at 100 kHz, MWCNTs were still experiencing positive DEP<br />

forces, while microparticles were influenced by negative ones. (D): at 1 MHz, particle behaviours are<br />

similar to that at 150 kHz.<br />

A<br />

B<br />

Assembled<br />

MWCNTs<br />

Assembled<br />

MWCNTs<br />

Assembled<br />

MWCNTs<br />

20 µm<br />

Slide 1<br />

Figure 10. A: At 150 kHz, complete particle separation achieved, polystyrene microparticles were<br />

repelled from electrode tips, while MWCNTs trapped at tips. B: SEM image <strong>of</strong> assembled MWCNTs<br />

on the tip <strong>and</strong> edge <strong>of</strong> electrodes.<br />

5.4 Collection <strong>of</strong> Separated Particles<br />

According to the calculations presented in Section 2.2, the magnitude <strong>of</strong> the DEP force affecting<br />

MWCNTs is much larger than polystyrene microparticles. Therefore, maintaining a proper flow in the<br />

micr<strong>of</strong>luidic channel, the polystyrene microparticles can be washed away <strong>and</strong> removed. MWCNTs can<br />

be released when the alternating voltage is switched <strong>of</strong>f. In this case, the collection <strong>of</strong> polystyrene<br />

microparticle can be achieved by maintaining the flow in positive direction; <strong>and</strong> after that, the<br />

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