Method for laser separation and characterization of particles and molecular species

US10710074B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy · US

Inventors

• Sean Hart · Keswick, US
• Sarah J. R. Staton · Washington, US
• Alexander V. Terray · Alexandria, US
• Gregory E. Collins · Huntingtown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 2018
• Grant date: Jul 14, 2020
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2015/1028
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The combined value of integrating optical forces and electrokinetics allows for the pooled separation vectors of each to be applied, providing for separation based on combinations of features such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. The interplay of these separation vectors allow for the selective manipulation of analytes with a finer degree of variation. Embodiments include methods of method of separating particles in a microfluidic channel using a device comprising a microfluidic channel, a source of laser light focused by an optic into the microfluidic channel, and a source of electrical field operationally connected to the microfluidic channel via electrodes so that the laser light and the electrical field to act jointly on the particles in the microfluidic channel. Other devices and methods are disclosed.