Electrokinetic manipulation works by applying an electric field to a medium containing the particles of interest. Depending on the nature of the particles and the electric field, different forces can act on the particles:
Electrophoresis: This phenomenon involves the movement of charged particles in a fluid under the influence of an electric field. It is commonly used in the separation and analysis of biomolecules like DNA and proteins. Dielectrophoresis: This involves the movement of neutral particles due to polarization effects in a non-uniform electric field. This technique is especially useful for manipulating particles that do not have an inherent charge.
