This thesis conducts numerical and experimental studies of the nonlinear electrokinetic motion of heterogeneous particles in microfluidic systems and their corresponding applications in laboratory-on-a-chip (LOC) systems. Induced-charge electrokinetic (ICEK) phenomena flow is generated by applying an external electric field to a conducting particle immersed in an aqueous solution. As a result of this field, micro-vortices form around the conducting particle. Using this phenomenon, many shortcomings of classical electrokinetics (e.g. poor mixing, leakage, back flow problem) can be improved. This thesis proposes and investigates a complete 3-D numerical multi-physics method to calculate the induced zeta potential on the conducting surface of a heterogeneous object. To model the ICEK motion of a heterogeneous particle in a DC electric field, the moving grid technique is used to conduct the particle-fluid simulation. It was numerically shown that the vortices form near the conducting surface of a particle. Both transitional and rotational motions of heterogeneous particles are investigated. A set of novel experiments are designed and conducted to investigate several aspecs of ICEK. It is demonstrated for the first time that four vortices form around a conducting sphere in contact with an aqueous solution while the DC electric field is applied. The motions of heterogeneous particles are experimentally studied. The speed of a heterogeneous particle is compared with the same size non-conducting particle under the same experimental conditions and it is shown that the heterogeneous particle moves significantly faster than the non-conducting particle. It is also shown that the micro-vortices on the conducting section of the heterogeneous particle act like an engine and push the particle to move faster. These experiments verify the results of our simulation studies. We introduce three applications for induced-charge electrokinetic phenomena in ths thesis: ICEK micro-valve, ICEK micro-mixer, and ICEK micro-motor, which can be used in microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip devises. This ICEK micro-valve significantly improves many shortcomings of other micro-valves reported in the literature (such as leakage, considerable dead volume and complicated fabrication processes). Our ICEK micro-mixers take the advantages of induced micro-vortices and boost the mixing process in a micro-channel. As a result well mixed homogeneous (100%) mixture could be obtained at the downstream of the mixer. Our proposed no-contact ICEK micro-motor rotates as long as the DC electric field is being applied. This thesis develops a new understanding of several ICEK phenomena and applications related to heterogeneous particles. The 3D numerical model developed in this thesis along with the experimental studies are capable of describing the ICEK motion of a heterogeneous particle and is a considerable step to calculate the ICEK phenomena for real-world applications. This thesis, for the first time, experimentally visualized and verified the induced micro-vortices around conducting particles under applied DC electric field. The proposed ICEK micro-mixers, valve and motor can be used in various LOC devices and applications.

This thesis conducts numerical and experimental studies of the nonlinear electrokinetic motion of heterogeneous particles in microfluidic systems and their corresponding applications in laboratory-on-a-chip (LOC) systems. Induced-charge electrokinetic (ICEK) phenomena flow is generated by applying an external electric field to a conducting particle immersed in an aqueous solution. As a result of this field, micro-vortices form around the conducting particle. Using this phenomenon, many shortcomings of classical electrokinetics (e.g. poor mixing, leakage, back flow problem) can be improved. This thesis proposes and investigates a complete 3-D numerical multi-physics method to calculate the induced zeta potential on the conducting surface of a heterogeneous object. To model the ICEK motion of a heterogeneous particle in a DC electric field, the moving grid technique is used to conduct the particle-fluid simulation. It was numerically shown that the vortices form near the conducting surface of a particle. Both transitional and rotational motions of heterogeneous particles are investigated. A set of novel experiments are designed and conducted to investigate several aspecs of ICEK. It is demonstrated for the first time that four vortices form around a conducting sphere in contact with an aqueous solution while the DC electric field is applied. The motions of heterogeneous particles are experimentally studied. The speed of a heterogeneous particle is compared with the same size non-conducting particle under the same experimental conditions and it is shown that the heterogeneous particle moves significantly faster than the non-conducting particle. It is also shown that the micro-vortices on the conducting section of the heterogeneous particle act like an engine and push the particle to move faster. These experiments verify the results of our simulation studies. We introduce three applications for induced-charge electrokinetic phenomena in ths thesis: ICEK micro-valve, ICEK micro-mixer, and ICEK micro-motor, which can be used in microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip devises. This ICEK micro-valve significantly improves many shortcomings of other micro-valves reported in the literature (such as leakage, considerable dead volume and complicated fabrication processes). Our ICEK micro-mixers take the advantages of induced micro-vortices and boost the mixing process in a micro-channel. As a result well mixed homogeneous (100%) mixture could be obtained at the downstream of the mixer. Our proposed no-contact ICEK micro-motor rotates as long as the DC electric field is being applied. This thesis develops a new understanding of several ICEK phenomena and applications related to heterogeneous particles. The 3D numerical model developed in this thesis along with the experimental studies are capable of describing the ICEK motion of a heterogeneous particle and is a considerable step to calculate the ICEK phenomena for real-world applications. This thesis, for the first time, experimentally visualized and verified the induced micro-vortices around conducting particles under applied DC electric field. The proposed ICEK micro-mixers, valve and motor can be used in various LOC devices and applications.

abstract: Early detection and treatment of disease is paramount for improving human health and wellness. Micro-scale devices promote new opportunities for the rapid, cost-effective, and accurate identification of altered biological states indicative of disease early-onset; these devices function at a scale more sensitive to numerous biological processes. The application of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) in biomedical settings has recently emerged and flourished over course of the last two decades, requiring a deep understanding of material biocompatibility, biosensing sensitively/selectively, biological constraints for artificial tissue/organ replacement, and the regulations in place to ensure device safety. Capitalizing on the inherent physical differences between cancerous and healthy cells, our ultra-thin silicone membrane enables earlier identification of bladder cancer—with a 70% recurrence rate. Building on this breakthrough, we have devised an array to multiplex this sample-analysis in real-time as well as expanding beyond bladder cancer. The introduction of new materials—with novel properties—to augment current and create innovative medical implants requires the careful analysis of material impact on cellular toxicity, mutagenicity, reactivity, and stability. Finally, the achievement of replacing defective biological systems with implanted artificial equivalents that must function within the same biological constraints, have consistent reliability, and ultimately show the promise of improving human health as demonstrated by our hydrogel check valve. The ongoing proliferation, expanding prevalence, and persistent improvement in MEMS devices through greater sensitivity, specificity, and integration with biological processes will undoubtedly bolster medical science with novel MEMS-based diagnostics and therapeutics. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2018

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