Measurement of thermophoretic force on spheroids

Thermophoretic force acting on spheroids with an equivalent volume to a sphere with a 2.54 cm radius is measured and compared to a theoretical result based on the Waldmann limit. This work focuses on spheroids in which the modified axis is parallel to the established thermal gradient. Results are presented for two oblate and two prolate spheroids as well as a sphere of matching material. It is found that highly oblate spheroids experience an increase in force production when compared to a sphere. It is also found that prolate spheroids show a decrease in overall force production when compared to a sphere but a highly prolate spheroid produces more force than a slightly prolate spheroid.