SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATING METALLIC AND NONMETALLIC PARTICLES IN A MIXED-PARTICLE SUSPENSION

A continuous flow particle separation system for separating metallic and nonmetallic particles from a mixed-particle suspension includes a fluid channeling component defining an input channel and first and second output channels fluidly connected to the input channel at a bifurcated junction, a first electrode and a second electrode arranged proximate the input channel at least partially prior to the bifurcated junction, and an alternating current (AC) electric power source electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes have shapes configured to provide a spatially-gradient electric field across the input channel, and the AC electric power source is configured to provide an AC electric potential to the first and second electrodes to cause a separation of the metallic and nonmetallic particles by dielectrophoresis due to a difference in dielectrophoretic forces imposed on the metallic particles relative to those of the nanometallic particles such that first output fluid flow in the first output channel has an enriched concentration of metallic particles and second output fluid flow in the second output channel has an enriched concentration of nonmetallic particles relative to the mixed-particle suspension in said input channel.