Levitation, holding, and rotation of cells within traps made by high-frequency fields.

Biological cells and other particles can be electrically manipulated by means of negative dielectrophoresis within microchambers whose electrode geometry is of the order of the cell size. Very-high-frequency fields (50 MHz and above) and media of increased relative permittivity are especially suitable for the purpose, as shown by experimental data on levitation and rotation. It appears to be possible to move and rotate cells or particles at will using this technology.