Dynamic Pattern Formation of Microparticles in a Uniform Flow by an On-Chip Thermophoretic Separation Device

$T{{0}{0ex}}h{{0}{0ex}}e{{0}{0ex}}r{{0}{0ex}}m{{0}{0ex}}o{{0}{0ex}}p{{0}{0ex}}h{{0}{0ex}}o{{0}{0ex}}r{{0}{0ex}}e{{0}{0ex}}s{{0}{0ex}}i{{0}{0ex}}s$ refers to the movement of particles under the influence of a temperature gradient, and could be exploited as a separation technique. In this study, pattern formation and separation of microparticles by on-chip thermophoresis in a microfluidic device is demonstrated. Particles of equal size yet different bulk characteristics and surface modifications show opposite responses. This clearly shows the potential of thermophoretic manipulation in microfluidic devices by adding controllable parameters, laying the foundation for innovative separation and filtration techniques that can be easily integrated into existing device designs.