Determination of Electric Parameters of Cell Membranes Using Dielectrophoretic Levitation

Dielectrophoretic Levitation을 이용한 세포막의 전기적 특성 결정

A new method for determination of electric parameter of cell membranes is proposed. Two circular electrodes is designed to have repulsive force. From the potential energy analysis, stable points where a cell is levitated between electrodes exist and move as frequency or voltage change. The levitated cell in the stable point fall freely when DEP force is zero. The DEP force is dependent on the frequency and the force is zero at the critical frequency. The critical frequency is determined by measuring the difference between the time taken at zero-applied voltage and the time taken at the frequency and the voltage. For example, the critical frequency and stable points of N.crassa slime cell is numerically evaluated. In the exeriment, polystyrene in water is levitated at the stable point. We show that the stable point move as the applied voltage is changed.