Formation of 3-dimensional micro particles using electrode array - useful in chromatography, filters, or for injection into bloodstream, gut etc. to deliver drugs, take on biological function etc..

: Fuhr, G.; Voigt, A.; Hagedorn, R.; Schnelle, T.; Hornung, J.; Mueller, T.; Fiedler, S.; Glasser, H.; Wagner, B.

Abstract
Micro particles are formed from liquids, solids or gases using controlled electrodes. The electrodes (11a-11f) are used singly or in groups with a width, height and gap in a micrometre and/or submicrometre band. The electrodes form a reaction zone which can be filled with a surrounding liquid, to be subjected to varying voltages. Small particles (12) are formed in the liquid, or particle clumps or at least one dispersed phase develop, of typical dimensions where their relative dielectric constant and/or specific conductivity is less than the surrounding liquid through electrical control. The force applied to the particles by the electrodes is set so that the particles or phase float in the liquid with a changing shape, especially during the electrical control of the electrodes, so that they cross link, set or bond into homogenous or heterogenous clusters. USE - Living, growing or killed cells or cell parts, including viruses, can be aggregated. The micro particles can be implanted in b ioreactors, extracorporeal systems or injected into the bloodstream or digestive tract as biodegradable pharmacological carriers or to take on biological functions. Droplets can be solidified by polymerisation or crystallisation. The microparticles can be used in chromatography, filtration and pigment prodn. ADVANTAGE - The technique gives mum and sub-mum particles, in selected size and shape.