Abstract
A novel concept for the migration of microparticles in an electrolyte solution, electromagnetophoresis (EMP), was demonstrated for the first time using a homogeneous magnetic field applied at right angles to the current in a closed microcell. The direction of the migration of polystyrene latex particles was perpendicular to the magnetic field and to the current, whereas it was reverse to a hypothetical Lorentz force expected for a positive charge in the system. The experimental results showed that the larger were the particles’ diameters, the faster did they migrate in proportion to the second power of the diameter. Moreover, the velocity of the migration was proportional to both the current and the magnetic field. These results proved that the dominant force of the migration was electromagnetic buoyancy.
