Patent ID: 8388823
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: B03C,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method to separate a sample of particles comprising at least first and second particles, comprising: i. generating a first distribution in the space of a first force field characterized by a first set of points of stable equilibrium for the first and second particles; ii. generating at least a second distribution in the space of a second force field characterized by a second set of points of stable equilibrium for the first and second particles, wherein the first and second distributions of forces are such that: a) a first point of stable equilibrium of one of the first and second sets of points of stable equilibrium is included inside a basin of attraction of a single second point of stable equilibrium of the other one of the first and second sets of points of stable equilibrium, and b) said second point of stable equilibrium is not contained in a basin of attraction of said first point of stable equilibrium; and iii. alternating between the first and second distributions at a frequency substantially comparable to the inverse of the settling-time of the first particles at a new point of stable equilibrium, but greater than the inverse of the settling-time of the second particles to obtain a net movement of only the first particles.