Dielectrophoretic separation of nano-particles

We show for the first time that it is possible to separate a population of nanoparticles into two subpopulations solely on the basis of their dielectric properties. Using nanofabricated electrode arrays it has been shown that a solution of 93 nm diameter latex beads with a distribution of surface charge can be separated by the application of non-uniform AC electric fields (dielectrophoresis). The mixture separated into two populations, one experiencing positive dielectrophoresis and the other negative dielectrophoresis.