Figure 2.

Nanoparticle collection under the action of pDEP force and release after the pDEP force is switched off. (A) Cartoon showing nanoparticle distribution—side view (i) initially uniform (ii) soon after force is switched on (t = t_c) pDEP force attracts nanoparticles downwards causing a depletion layer above (iii) depletion layer widens and system reaches collection steady state (t ≍ t_cs) where nanoparticle fluxes balance (iv) after the pDEP force is switched off (t = t_r) nanoparticles diffuse away from array eventually returning to release SS (t ≍ t_rs). (B) Nanoparticle number collection and release within a volume near the array as a function of time showing the initial collection rate and initial to CS transition (further details in text).