BLUE FINGERS STUDENT AWARD

Seyedmojtaba (Matin) Tabarhoseini is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, where he works with Dr. Xiangchun Xuan. He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Babol Noshirvani University of Technology in Iran before joining Clemson in 2022.

​

His research focuses on developing AC electrokinetic techniques for the label-free manipulation and separation of particles and cells in microfluidic devices. His work includes charge-based microparticle separation, viability-based cell separation, and nanoparticle focusing and separation using AC insulator-based dielectrophoresis (AC iDEP). Matin has also investigated the frequency-dependent reversal of transverse particle migration in a straight rectangular microchannel, where particles exhibit center-directed migration at low frequencies and wall-directed migration at higher frequencies. The work he will present at SciX 2026, “AC Electrokinetic Separation of Particles in a Straight Rectangular Microchannel,” builds on this behavior by adding a small DC offset to the AC electric field to enable continuous separation of particles with different electrokinetic responses. The study also systematically examines how AC field amplitude and frequency, DC offset voltage, and particle size affect the separation behavior.

​

Matin’s work has resulted in peer reviewed publications and oral and poster presentations at national and international conferences. Two of his papers received Best Student Paper recognition from Electrophoresis, and his SciX 2026 research received Clemson’s Best Ph.D. Poster Award. He has also received Clemson University’s 2026-2027 Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grant, as well as an AES Travel Grant to support his participation in SciX 2025. Since joining Clemson in 2022, Matin has shown a strong commitment to supporting undergraduate researchers through the Creative Inquiry program, mentoring seven students and helping them perform experiments, analyze and interpret results, and present their findings at national and international conferences.