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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Signal transduction for purposes of biomolecular sensing can be enhanced through miniaturization (nanoscale sensors such as nanowires, cantilevers, etc), but this may impose insurmountable limitations on transport of analyte molecules to the surface. In order to improve biomolecular detection sensitivity, this study aims to develop electrodeless dielectrophoresis (EDEP) methods for the selective transport and trapping of analytes in close proximity to the sensor surface. A device design based on microscale dielectric constrictions of the fluidic channel and nanoscale metal electrode edges was used to locally enhance electric field gradients and trap biomolecules. The resulting electric field focusing effect was enhanced as a result of miniaturization and an instantaneous ten-fold EDEP preconcentration was obtained in high-salt buffers (50 mM NaCl) that enabled an equivalent improvement in DNA hybridization kinetics.