Title: Stochastic control for nanoparticle manipulation using electric fields

Authors: Andreas Kyprianou, Neophytos Loucaides, Nick Polydorides, George E. Georghiou, Charalambos D. Charalambous, Charalambos Doumanides

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Kallipoleos 75, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cyprus, Kallipoleos 75, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus. ' Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, US. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cyprus, Kallipoleos 75, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cyprus, Kallipoleos 75, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus. ' Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Kallipoleos 75, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus

Abstract: A simplified model is used to study the dynamics of a nanoparticle suspended in a fluid under Dielectrophoretic (DEP) force. The model considers the DEP force (considering only dipoles formed and not higher order polarisation) and the Brownian motion of the particle. Stochastic control and estimation methods are introduced to provide control action via DEP force that pushes the particle in a specific direction. The control action employed is based on alternating the polarity of the electric field that induces the force exerted on the particle. Despite the simplicity of the model, a sufficient insight into the nature of applying stochastic control techniques can be derived. Simulations are also presented to illustrate the proposed stochastic control techniques, by simulating the behaviour of the controlled nanoparticle system described by a stochastic differential equation driven by Brownian motion subject to optimal DEP force computed by solving an optimal stochastic control problem.

Keywords: nanoparticle manipulation; dielectrophoretic force; Brownian motion; stochastic control; nanoparticles; nanomanufacturing; nanotechnology; nanoparticle suspension; dynamic modelling; estimation; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2007.017993

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2007 Vol.1 No.6, pp.751 - 761

Published online: 25 Apr 2008 *

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