10.1063/1.3483129.2

Many dielectrophoretic manipulations of particles are performed near walls. The theory of wall effect on dielectrophoresis was recently reported but not experimentally validated. Two experiments with polystyrene particles in deionized water were performed. The dielectrophoretic force normal to an insulated wall is validated by balancing it with buoyancy in an inclined rectangular channel subject to a uniform electric field. The dielectrophoretic force parallel to the wall is validated by balancing it with fluid drag in a diverging channel subject to a radial field. The measurements agree with theory within 7.4% and 8.1% discrepancies, for the normal and parallel forces, respectively.