System and method for high throughput particle separation

Abstract

The high throughput particle separation system includes an aqueous solution container for storing an aqueous solution containing specific particles to be separated, an electrode array, having a plurality of electrodes arranged at regular intervals or at various different intervals in series or in parallel, for deflecting specific particles simultaneously in a nonuniform electric field according to sizes and dielectric properties of the particles to separate a large quantity of the particles at high throughput, a path separation unit for establishing movement paths of the particles separated by the electrode array, and a control unit for applying the same voltage and frequency or different voltages and frequencies to the electrodes of the electrode array based on sizes and dielectric properties of specific particles to be separated.

1 . A high throughput particle separation method for separating particles using an electrode array, comprising:
 variably applying voltages and frequencies to electrodes of the electrode array based on properties of particles to be separated to form a nonuniform electric field and an imaginary distance between the respective electrodes; and   deflecting only specific particles based on sizes and dielectric properties of the particles to separate the particles at high throughput.   
     
     
         2 . The high throughput particle separation method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the electrodes of the electrode array is disposed in a path along which the particles move in a direction of gravity in the form of a cantilever or a bridge,   the electrode array separates the particles based on the sizes of the particles through adjustment of gaps between the respective electrodes of the electrode array, and   the electrode array differently deflects the particles according to permittivity and conductivity of each of the particles through application of various different powers to the respective electrodes of the electrode array.   
     
     
         3 . A high throughput particle separation method for separating particles using an electrode array, comprising:
 applying voltages and frequencies to electrodes of the electrode array based on properties of particles to be separated to form a nonuniform electric field and an imaginary distance between the respective electrodes;   introducing an aqueous solution containing the particles to be separated; and   deflecting only specific particles based on sizes and dielectric properties of the particles to separate the particles at high throughput.   
     
     
         4 . The high throughput particle separation method according to  claim 3 , wherein
 each of the electrodes of the electrode array is disposed in a path along which the particles move in a direction of gravity in the form of a cantilever or a bridge,   the electrode array separates the particles based on the sizes of the particles through adjustment of gaps between the respective electrodes of the electrode array, and   the electrode array differently deflects the particles according to permittivity and conductivity of each of the particles through application of various different powers to the respective electrodes of the electrode array.   
     
     
         5 . The high throughput particle separation method according to  claim 3 , wherein the step of applying voltages and frequencies to electrodes of the electrode array comprises changing a specific particle deflection zone created by the nonuniform electric field through adjustment of the voltages and the frequencies based on the properties of the particles to be separated. 
     
     
         6 . The high throughput particle separation method according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 differently establishing movement paths of the particles separated at the high throughput for the respective particles, and adjusting angles of the electrodes of the electrode array to adjust movement velocity of the particles.