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The continuous positive and negative dielectrophoresis of microorganisms

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Abstract

The continuous dielectrophoresis of living cells is described. The technique uses stream-centered transport of suspended microorganisms through an especially shaped non-uniform electric field. The cells can be given a positive or negative displacement, i.e., can be pushed into or out of the region of higher field intensity, depending upon the frequency of the applied ac field, and upon the relative permittivities of the cells and the suspending medium. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and algal cells (Chlorella vulgaris) were found to provide spectra of dielectrophoretic responses varying with the applied frequency (10 to 600 kHz) and conductivity.

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Pohl, H.A., Kaler, K. & Pollock, K. The continuous positive and negative dielectrophoresis of microorganisms. J Biol Phys 9, 67–86 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01987284

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