Characterization of Pressure and Velocity Fields in Acoustophoresis Using Particle Tracks

Abstract: This master’s thesis explores the possibility of calculating and using the pressure andvelocity fields responsible for acoustophoresis. The goal was to use simulated data,similar to two-dimensional particle tracks from a specific microfluidic platform, toestimate the force potential and solve the partial differential equation (PDE) thatgoverns the relationship between the force potential and the acoustic fields. Lastly,the possibility of identifying the mechanical properties of unknown particles, once theacoustic field was known, was investigated. The thesis found that solving the PDE usingthe finite difference method was likely not possible and an alternative method has beensuggested. It also found that the use of particle tracks to measure the compressibilityand density of cells as a biomarker is promising, as most simulated particles wereaccurately measured.