Electrokinetic Transport in Nanochannels
Sumita Pennathur
Ph.D. Candidate
Stanford University
Abstract
Electrokinetic transport in fluidic channels facilitates
control and separation of ionic species. In nanometer electrokinetic
systems, the electric double layer thickness is comparable
to channel dimensions, and this results in nonuniform velocity
profiles and strong electric fields transverse to the flow.
We report continuum-theory-based analytical and numerical
studies of nanofluidic electrophoretic transport as well
as experimental validation of these models. Our results
suggest new techniques for increased separation resolution
of ionic species. In particular, we present a method we
term “Electrokinetic Separation by Ion Valence (EKSIV)”
whereby both ion valence and bulk mobility may be determined
independently from a comparison of micro- and nano-scale
transport measurements. Finally, we show example applications
for electrophoresis in nanochannels, including preliminary
data of size dependant mobilities for 10-100 bp DNA.
Thursday, April 6, 2006
2 PM, 337 Towne Bldg.
