Electro-viscoelastic and electro-inertial microfluidics for micron to nanoscale particle separation
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium F101 (Aapistie 7)
Topic of the dissertation
Electro-viscoelastic and electro-inertial microfluidics for micron to nanoscale particle separation
Doctoral candidate
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Seyedamirhosein Abdorahimzadeh
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Disease Networks
Subject of study
Bionanoengineering
Opponent
Professor Xiangchun Xuan, Clemson University
Custos
Professor Caglar Elbuken, University of Oulu
Using electric fields and fluid flow to better control and separate nanoparticles
Precise control and separation of nanoscale particles, such as biological vesicles released by cells and synthetic nanoparticles, is essential in many areas of medicine and biotechnology. However, handling such small particles is challenging because they are strongly affected by random motion in liquids and respond weakly to conventional microfluidic techniques.
This doctoral thesis explores new microfluidic approaches for controlling the motion of nanoparticles by combining fluid flow properties with externally applied electric fields. In particular, the work investigates how the viscoelastic properties of the suspending fluid, together with the strength and temporal modulation of electric fields, influence particle migration in microchannels.
The results demonstrate that exploiting the combined effects of fluid rheology and electric fields enables improved focusing and separation of nanoscale particles compared to traditional methods. The developed strategies open new possibilities for the analysis, purification, and handling of biological nanoparticles. Overall, this work advances the understanding of particle behavior at small length scales and supports the development of microfluidic technologies for future biomedical applications.
This doctoral thesis explores new microfluidic approaches for controlling the motion of nanoparticles by combining fluid flow properties with externally applied electric fields. In particular, the work investigates how the viscoelastic properties of the suspending fluid, together with the strength and temporal modulation of electric fields, influence particle migration in microchannels.
The results demonstrate that exploiting the combined effects of fluid rheology and electric fields enables improved focusing and separation of nanoscale particles compared to traditional methods. The developed strategies open new possibilities for the analysis, purification, and handling of biological nanoparticles. Overall, this work advances the understanding of particle behavior at small length scales and supports the development of microfluidic technologies for future biomedical applications.
Created 28.1.2026 | Updated 28.1.2026