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Electrokinetic ‘ratchet’ pumps for microfluidics

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Abstract.

The symmetry argument underlying ‘ratchet’ schemes for the motion of molecular motors and for selective transport of particles is shown to yield new means for the pumping of liquids. A practical realization consists in using surfaces bearing polar periodic arrays of electrodes addressed by an ac voltage difference. The resulting surface-induced pumping remains efficient under miniaturization and may find application in microfluidics.

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Received: 19 October 2001 / Accepted: 14 January 2002 / Published online: 22 April 2002

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Ajdari, A. Electrokinetic ‘ratchet’ pumps for microfluidics . Appl Phys A 75, 271–274 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390201329

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390201329

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