AC electrokinetics: applications for nanotechnology

The phenomena of dielectrophoresis and electrorotation, collectively referr ed to as AC electrokinetics. have been used for many years ro study, manipu late and separate particles on the cellular (1 mu m or more) scale. However , the technique has much to offer the expanding field of nanotechnology, th at is the precise manipulation of particles on the nanometre scale. In this paper we present the principles of AC electrokinetics for particle manipul ation, review the current state of AC electrokinetic techniques for the man ipulation of particles on the nanometre scale, and consider how these princ iples may be applied to nanotechnology.