Web Release Date: November 14,
Dielectrophoretic Trapping of Single Bacteria at Carbon Nanofiber Nanoelectrode Arrays
and
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035, University Affiliated Research Center of University of California-Santa Cruz, Moffett Field, California 94035, and ELORET, Moffett Field, California 94035
Received: August 7, 2007
In Final Form: October 5, 2007
Abstract:
We present an ac dielectrophoretic (DEP) technique for single-cell trapping using embedded carbon nanofiber (CNF) nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs). NEAs fabricated by inlaying vertically aligned carbon nanofibers in SiO2 matrix are applied as "points-and-lid" DEP devices in aqueous solution. The miniaturization of the electrode size provides a highly focused electrical field with the gradient enhanced by orders of magnitude. This generates extremely large positive DEP forces near the electrode surface and traps small bioparticles against strong hydrodynamic forces. This technology promises new capabilities to perform novel cell biology experiments at the nanoscale. We anticipate that the bottom-up approach of such nano-DEP devices allows the integration of millions of nanolectrodes deterministically in lab-on-a-chip devices and will be generally useful for manipulating submicron particles.
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