Nonlinear electrophoresis of dielectric and metal spheres in a nematic liquid crystal

Electrophoresis is a motion of charged dispersed particles relative to a fluid in a uniform electric field. The effect is widely used to separate macromolecules, to assemble colloidal structures, to transport particles in nano- and micro-fluidic devices and displays. Typically, the fluid is isotropic (for example, water) and the electrophoretic velocity is linearly proportional to the electric field. In linear electrophoresis, only a direct current (DC) field can drive the particles. An alternate current (AC) field is more desirable because it allows one to overcome problems such as electrolysis and absence of steady flows. Here we show that when the electrophoresis is performed in a nematic fluid, the effect becomes strongly non-linear with a velocity component that is quadratic in the applied voltage and has a direction that generally differs from the direction of linear velocity. The new phenomenon is caused by distortions of the LC orientation around the particle that break the fore-aft (or left-right) symmetry. The effect allows one to transport both charged and neutral particles, even when the particles themselves are perfectly symmetric (spherical), thus enabling new approaches in display technologies, colloidal assembly, separation, microfluidic and micromotor applications.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

Advances in electrokinetics and their applications in micro/nano fluidics

Electrokinetic phenomena originally developed in colloid chemistry have drawn great attention in micro- and nano-fluidic lab-on-a-chip systems for manipulation of both liquids and particles. Here we present an overview of advances in electrokinetic phenomena during recent decades and their various applications in micro- and nano-fluidics. The advances in electrokinetics are generally classified into two categories, namely electrokinetics over insulating surfaces and electrokinetics over conducting surfaces. In each category, the phenomena are further grouped according to different physical mechanisms. For each category of electrokinetics, the review begins with basic theories, and followed by their applications in micro- and/or nano-fluidics with highlighted disadvantages and advantages. Finally, the review is ended with suggested directions for the future research