Comprehensive characterization of a microfluidic platform for DEP manipulation and bio-impedance detection using multi-sized polystyrene microbeads

Funding Sponsor

Science and Technology Development Fund

Author's Department

Center of Nanoelectronics and Devices (CND)

Second Author's Department

Center of Nanoelectronics and Devices (CND)

Third Author's Department

Center of Nanoelectronics and Devices (CND)

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-024-02785-1

All Authors

Sameh Sherif Yehya H. Ghallab Yehea Ismail

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Microfluidics and Nanofluidics

Publication Date

2-1-2025

doi

10.1007/s10404-024-02785-1

Abstract

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) manipulation combined with micro-electric impedance spectroscopy (µEIS) presents a sophisticated approach for cellular analysis and dielectric characterization. While conventional cell analysis techniques rely on complex labeling methods with inherent limitations, integrating DEP and µEIS offers non-invasive, label-free cellular characterization with enhanced sensitivity. This study presents an innovative dual-mode DEP platform incorporating both levitation (LEVDEP) and rotational (ROTDEP) forces, integrated with high-precision impedance measurement capabilities on one chip, enabling simultaneous Cell controlling and manipulation and dielectric signature extraction within a single microfluidic device. The fabricated and developed microfluidic platform demonstrated exceptional particle discrimination through the dual mode, with distinct responses for both particle populations. Under FlEV.DEP10.4μm 2.01 MHz showed a 63.4% magnitude increase, while FlEV.DEP24.9μm, particles exhibited a higher 81.2% increase at the same force, yielding a 2.48 × enhancement in discrimination ratio compared to no-DEP conditions. ROTDEP at 110 kHz induced even more pronounced differences, with FROT.DEP10.4μm showing a 120% magnitude increase (phase patterns: −24.501° to −34.363°) and FROT.DEP24.9μm µm particles demonstrating a 145% increase (phase patterns: −31.267° to −42.891°), achieving a 3.16 × discrimination ratio enhancement. The impedance spectrum revealed distinct frequency-dependent signatures, with ROTDEP showing superior mid-frequency discrimination (10.4 µm: 1.9370×104 Ω vs 24.9 µm: 2.0542×104 Ω at 110 kHz) and LEVDEP optimizing high-frequency characterization (10.4 µm: 1.6677×104 Ω vs 24.9 µm: 1.5849×104 Ω at 2.01 MHz). These signatures demonstrate the platform’s comprehensive particle characterization capabilities through complementary DEP forces. The dual-mode approach enhanced discrimination ratios by 2.48 × under Lev.force and 3.16 × under LEV.force at selected characteristic frequency range compared to NonDEPforce conditions. Comprehensive impedance analysis through frequency spectrum (10 kHz—2.01 MHz) revealed unique frequency-dependent cell signatures, ROT.force demonstrating superior mid-frequency discrimination (magnitude differences of 1.9370 × 104 Ω vs 2.0542 × 104 Ω at 110 kHz) and LEVDEP optimizing high-frequency characterization (1.6677 × 104 Ω vs 1.5849 × 104 Ω at 2.01 MHz). Impedance dielectric analysis conducted over the 10 kHz to 2.01 MHz frequency range demonstrated frequency-dependent characteristics for each selected cell population. ROTDEP enhanced the discrimination in the mid-frequency range (110 kHz), with 10.4 µm particles presenting impedance magnitudes of 1.9370 × 104 Ω, while 24.9 µm particles displayed 2.0542 × 104 Ω, yielding a distinct separation ratio of 1.06 ×. In the high-frequency domain (2.01 MHz), LEVDEP optimized particle characterization revealed that 10.4 µm particles exhibited a resistance of 1.6677 × 104 Ω. In contrast, 24.9 µm particles showed a resistance of 1.5849 × 104 Ω, resulting in a separation ratio of 1.05 ×. The dual-mode approach markedly improved discrimination capabilities, with LEVDEP demonstrating a 2.48 × enhancement and ROTDEP exhibiting a 3.16 × increase in separation ratios relative to no-DEP conditions. This proposed dual-force implementation exhibited notable efficacy in designated frequency ranges: ROTDEP excelled in mid-frequency discrimination, achieving magnitude differences of 11.72 × 103 Ω between particle populations, whereas LEVDEP optimized high-frequency characterization with differences of 8.28 × 103 Ω, facilitating comprehensive particle discrimination through complementary DEP forces. This study establishes a novel microfluidic platform integrating dual-mode DEP manipulation with high-sensitivity dielectric features impedance detection, achieving a 163.1% enhancement in signal-to-noise SNR ratio compared to the conventional impedance mode. The proposed system demonstrates exceptional particle discrimination capabilities, with LEVDEP achieving a 63.4% and 81.2% magnitude increase for 10.4 µm and 24.9 µm particles, respectively, at 2.01 MHz. In comparison, ROTDEP induced more pronounced increases of 120% and 145% at 110 kHz. The proposed system significantly improved discrimination ratios (2.48 × under LEVDEP and 3.16 × under ROTDEP) relative to no-DEP conditions, identifying clear phase behavior patterns for both particle populations. Impedance analysis over the 10 kHz to 2.01 MHz frequency range identified distinct frequency-dependent characteristics. ROTDEP exhibited enhanced mid-frequency discrimination, measuring 1.9370 × 104 Ω compared to 2.0542 × 104 Ω, while LEVDEP provided optimized high-frequency characterization, with values of 1.6677 × 104 Ω versus 1.5849 × 104 Ω. This system, which is label-free and non-invasive, facilitates cellular dielectric analysis with improved throughput and measurement precision. It provides substantial benefits for biological research, medical diagnostics, and drug analysis and development through its dual-force implementation and extensive impedance characterization capabilities.

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