Tunable mass separation via negative mobility

A prerequisite for isolating diseased cells requires a mechanism for effective mass-based separation. This objective, however, is generally rather challenging because typically no valid correlation exists between the size of the particles and their mass value. We consider an inertial Brownian particle moving in a symmetric periodic potential and subjected to an externally applied unbiased harmonic driving in combination with a constant applied bias. In doing so we identify a most efficient separation scheme which is based on the anomalous transport feature of negative mobility, meaning that the immersed particles move in the direction opposite to the acting bias. This work is first of its kind in demonstrating a tunable separation mechanism in which the particle mass targeted for isolation is effectively controlled over a regime of nearly two orders of mass-magnitude upon changing solely the frequency of the external harmonic driving. This approach may provide mass selectivity required in present and future separation of a diversity of nano and micro-sized particles of either biological or synthetic origin.