Electrokinetic scanning probe for localized surface patterning and analysis

We present the theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration of a new fluidic probe which is based entirely on electrokinetic actuation. The electrokinetic scanning probe (ESP) provides highly localized confinement of a wide range of processing solutions in “open space”, enabling interaction with various surfaces, from microscopy slides to tissues. The ESP uses electroosmotic flow in tandem with electrophoresis to drive liquids and molecules, creating local reactions on surfaces in conjunction with localized heating and analyte focusing at the reaction site.