Nonlinear Electrokinetics at MIT

We are broadly interested in developing novel methods of manipulating fluids and particles in microdevices using electric and/or magnetic fields. Our focus has been on nonlinear electrokinetics, specifically induced-charge electro-osmosis (ICEO) at metal surfaces and electrode arrays, and the related effect of induced-charge electrophoresis (ICEP) of polarizable colloidal particles. We have also begun to study magnetohydrodynamic phenomena in microfluidics and colloids. Our work is grounded in fundamental mathematical theory and involves close coordination with experiments at MIT and elsewhere. At MIT, our main focus is on developing new portable or implantable microfluidic devices, operating at low voltage and low power by nonlinear electrokinetics. We are pursuing various applications in biotechnology, such as implantable drug infusion pumps and portable medical diagnostic devices.