Dielectric Modeling of Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteria and Shape Optimization of Electrodes for Isolation in Microfluidic Channel: A Numerical Study

This study investigates the optimization of the electrode shape to isolate bacteria from the blood within a microfluidic channel, employing the dielectrophoretic technique. The examination focuses on the dielectric modeling of Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria to isolate them from blood components, specifically Red Blood Cells (RBC) and platelets. The numerical study utilized the COMSOL Multiphysics software to model three distinct channels, using standard geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and circles as their electrodes. Numerical analyses were carried out to compare the three models and acquire an appropriate electrode configuration to separate Staphylococcus Aureus from blood particles. Simulations were carried out for all three models by modifying the voltages and inlet velocities to obtain their efficiency. The results showed that the circular and triangular-shaped electrode models required a low voltage of 4 V to achieve the desired separation of bacteria from blood particles, RBC, and platelets. In contrast, the rectangular-shaped electrode required a higher voltage of 8 V.