INDUCED-CHARGE ELECTROKINETICS WITH HIGH-SLIP POLARIZABLE SURFACES

摘要

This invention provides devices and apparatuses comprising the same, for fast pumping and mixing of relatively small volumes of electrolytes and ionic fluids and materials suspended thereby. Such devices utilize nonlinear induced-charge electro-osmosis as a primary mechanism for driving fluid flow. Such devices comprise a polarizable surface, which is incorporated in the electrodes or pumping elements of the devices as well as a material, which promotes hydrodynamic slip at a region proximal thereto, when the device is subjected to non-linear electro-osmotic flow. Examples of such materials are provided. This invention also provides nanoparticles and microparticles incorporating such materials to enhance nonlinear induced-charge electrophoretic motion. Methods of use of the devices and particles of this invention are described.