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David W M Marr

Publications and source records attributed to David W M Marr.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Direct measurement of colloidal particle rotation and field dependence in alternating current electrohydrodynamic flows.

We have measured the influence of both applied alternating current (AC) field strength and frequency on the electrohydrodynamic (EH) flows present in colloidal systems near an electrode surface. The effect of the flows is visualized by the rotation of the colloids, fluorescently labeled by a novel technique involving EH-driven aggregation of much smaller tracer colloids to the surface of the larger colloids. Our results show an E2 dependence of these flows, consistent with an induced charge mechanism for effective colloidal interactions. We have also observed a crossover in frequency that suggests a change in the origin of the induced charge, consistent with predictions from available theory. The EH flows appear to be hydrodynamically screened inside clusters, as evidenced by the lack of rotation of interior colloids and the cluster-size independent rotation rate of colloids on the boundary.

Journal Article↗

Microfluidic sorting system based on optical waveguide integration and diode laser bar trapping.

Effective methods for manipulating, isolating and sorting cells and particles are essential for the development of microfluidic-based life science research and diagnostic platforms. We demonstrate an integrated optical platform for cell and particle sorting in microfluidic structures. Fluorescent-dyed particles are excited using an integrated optical waveguide network within micro-channels. A diode-bar optical trapping scheme guides the particles across the waveguide/micro-channel structures and selectively sorts particles based upon their fluorescent signature. This integrated detection and separation approach streamlines microfluidic cell sorting and minimizes the optical and feedback complexity commonly associated with extant platforms.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Microfluidic control using colloidal devices.

By manipulating colloidal microspheres within customized channels, we have created micrometer-scale fluid pumps and particulate valves. We describe two positive-displacement designs, a gear and a peristaltic pump, both of which are about the size of a human red blood cell. Two colloidal valve designs are also demonstrated, one actuated and one passive, for the direction of cells or small particles. The use of colloids as both valves and pumps will allow device integration at a density far beyond what is currently achievable by other approaches and may provide a link between fluid manipulation at the macro- and nanoscale.

Colloids↗

Laminar-flow-based separations at the microscale.

The natural separation maintained by microfluidic flows is employed as the basis of a particle/cell sorting device. This method of separating particulate suspensions exploits the inherent laminar nature of microscale fluid dynamics and incorporates applied fields and image cytometry to enable sorting based upon any visually identifiable difference between colloid-sized cells or particles. This technique may be used to easily isolate, separate, sort, or enrich virtually any suspension of microscale biological or colloidal particles within a microfluidic system. The entire footprint of the device described here is less than 0.01 mm(2), allowing it to be readily incorporated within highly integrated micro total analysis systems (microTAS).

Cell Separation↗