Abstract: Method of using direct current (DC) electrokinetics to enhance oil production from carbonate reservoirs The method comprising the steps of selecting an underground formation comprising an Oil-bearing carbonate reservoir, positioning two or more electrically conductive elements at spaced apart locations in proximity to said formation, at least one of said conductive elements being disposed in or adjacent to a bore hole affording fluid communication between the interior of said bore hole and said formation, passing a controlled amount of electric current along an electrically conductive path through said formation, said electric current being produced by a DC source including a cathode connected to one of said conductive elements and an anode connected to another of said conductive elements, said electrically conductive path comprising at least one of connate formation water and an aqueous electrolyte introduced into said formation, and withdrawing oil from at least one of said bore holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a fluid chamber comprising a particle retention region for retaining at least one particle, such as a cell. The microfluidic device also comprises a plurality of electrodes extending into the particle retention region for applying a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force to controllably move the particle within the particle retention region. The invention also relates to methods of using the microfluidic device to controllably move the particle within the microfluidic device and to monitor, observe, or measure a parameter of the particle. The particle movement may be caused by a DEP force and/or a fluidic force.