Chladni Figures Revisited Based on Nanomechanics

M. Dorrestijn, National Center of Competence in Research on Nanoscale Science, Institute of Physics, University of Basel
A. Bietsch, IBM Research, Zurich Research Laboratory
T. Acikalin, Mechanical Engineering, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Arvind Raman, Mechanical Engineering, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
M. Hegner, National Center of Competence in Research on Nanoscale Science, Institute of Physics, University of Basel
E. Meyer, National Center of Competence in Research on Nanoscale Science, Institute of Physics, University of Basel
Ch. Gerber, National Center of Competence in Research on Nanoscale Science, Institute of Physics, University of Basel

Abstract

Chladni patterns based on nanomechanics in the microfluidic environment are presented. In contrast with the macroscopic observations in the gaseous environment, nanoparticles are found to move to the nodes, whereas micron-sized particles move to the antinodes of the vibrating interface. This opens the door to size-based sorting of particles in microfluidic systems, and to highly parallel and controlled assembly of biosensors and nanoelectronic circuits.