title: 3-dimensional electrode patterning within a microfluidic channel using metal ion implantation.
abstract: The application of electrical fields within a microfluidic channel enables many forms of manipulation necessary for lab-on-a-chip devices. Patterning electrodes inside the microfluidic channel generally requires multi-step optical lithography. Here, we utilize an ion-implantation process to pattern 3D electrodes within a fluidic channel made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Electrode structuring within the channel is achieved by ion implantation at a 40 degrees angle with a metal shadow mask. The advantages of three-dimensional structuring of electrodes within a fluidic channel over traditional planar electrode designs are discussed. Two possible applications are presented: asymmetric particles can be aligned in any of the three axial dimensions with electro-orientation; colloidal focusing and concentration within a fluidic channel can be achieved through dielectrophoresis. Demonstrations are shown with E. coli, a rod shaped bacteria, and indicate the potential that ion-implanted microfluidic channels have for manipulations in the context of lab-on-a-chip devices.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland. jae-woo.choi@epfl.ch
authors.forename: Jae-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosset
authors.forename: Muhamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niklaus
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Adleman
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Demetri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Psaltis