Contact Charge Electrophoresis: Fundamentals and Microfluidic Applications

One-step formation of three-dimensional interconnected T-shaped microstructures inside composites by orthogonal bidirectional self-assembly method

The fillers inside a polymer matrix should typically be self-assembled in both the horizontal and vertical directions to obtain 3-dimentional (3D) percolation pathways, whereby the fields of application can be expanded and the properties of organic-inorganic composite films improved. Conventional dielectrophoresis techniques can typically only drive fillers to self-assemble in only one direction. We have devised a one-step dielectrophoresis-driven approach that effectively induces fillers self-assembly along two orthogonal axes, which results in the formation of 3D interconnected T-shaped iron microstructures (3D-T CIP) inside a polymer matrix. This approach to carbonyl iron powder (CIP) embedded in a polymer matrix results in a linear structure along the thickness direction and a network structure on the top surface of the film. The fillers in the polymer were controlled to achieve orthogonal bidirectional self-assembly using an external alternating current (AC) electric field and a non-contact technique that did not lead to electrical breakdown. The process of 3D-T CIP formation was observed in real time using in situ observation methods with optical microscopy, and the quantity and quality of self-assembly were characterized using statistical and fractal analysis. The process of fillers self-assembly along the direction perpendicular to the electric field was explained by finite element analogue simulations, and the results indicated that the insulating polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film between the electrode and the CIP/prepolymer suspension was the key to the formation of the 3D-T CIP. In contrast to the traditional two-step method of fabricating sandwich-structured film, the fabricated 3D-T CIP film with 3D electrically conductive pathways can be applied as magnetic field sensor.

Optimizing Optical Dielectrophoretic (ODEP) Performance: Position- and Size-Dependent Droplet Manipulation in an Open-Chamber Oil Medium

An optimization study is presented to enhance optical dielectrophoretic (ODEP) performance for effective manipulation of an oil-immersed droplet in the floating electrode optoelectronic tweezers (FEOET) device. This study focuses on understanding how the droplet's position and size, relative to light illumination, affect the maximum ODEP force. Numerical simulations identified the characteristic length (Lc) of the electric field as a pivotal factor, representing the location of peak field strength. Utilizing 3D finite element simulations, the ODEP force is calculated through the Maxwell stress tensor by integrating the electric field strength over the droplet's surface and then analyzed as a function of the droplet's position and size normalized to Lc. Our findings reveal that the optimal position is xopt= Lc+ r, (with r being the droplet radius), while the optimal droplet size is ropt = 5Lc, maximizing light-induced field perturbation around the droplet. Experimental validations involving the tracking of droplet dynamics corroborated these findings. Especially, a droplet sized at r = 5Lc demonstrated the greatest optical actuation by performing the longest travel distance of 13.5 mm with its highest moving speed of 6.15 mm/s, when it was initially positioned at x0= Lc+ r = 6Lc from the light's center. These results align well with our simulations, confirming the criticality of both the position (xopt) and size (ropt) for maximizing ODEP force. This study not only provides a deeper understanding of the position- and size-dependent parameters for effective droplet manipulation in FEOET systems, but also advances the development of low-cost, disposable, lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices for multiplexed biological and biochemical analyses.

High-Voltage Electrodes in Moist Air Accumulate Charge That is Retained after Removing the Electric Field

Applying a high voltage to a metal electrode that is disconnected from a circuit rapidly induces a capacitive charge, which quickly relaxes after removal of the applied voltage. Here, we report that if the electrode is placed in air at a sufficiently high relative humidity and provided the connection between the high-voltage supply and the electrode is composed of two different metals, the expected capacitive charge is followed by a gradual increase in charge. Surprisingly, this extra charge persists after the removal of the applied voltage and even after physically removing the electrode from the Faraday cup used to measure the charge. We report the median charge, average charge rate, and residual charge for different applied voltages, different metal-metal connections, and varied humidity. We interpret the results in terms of a proposed water ionization mechanism and discuss the implications of the findings for high-voltage fluidic systems.

Diffusiophoresis of a Weakly Charged Liquid Metal Droplet

Diffusiophoresis of a weakly charged liquid metal droplet (LMD) is investigated theoretically, motivated by its potential application in drug delivery. A general analytical formula valid for weakly charged condition is adopted to explore the droplet phoretic behavior. We determined that a liquid metal droplet, which is a special category of the conducting droplet in general, always moves up along the chemical gradient in sole chemiphoresis, contrary to a dielectric droplet where the droplet tends to move down the chemical gradient most of the time. This suggests a therapeutic nanomedicine such as a gallium LMD is inherently superior to a corresponding dielectric liposome droplet in drug delivery in terms of self-guiding to its desired destination. The droplet moving direction can still be manipulated via the polarity dependence; however, there should be an induced diffusion potential present in the electrolyte solution under consideration, which spontaneously generates an extra electrophoresis component. Moreover, the smaller the conducting liquid metal droplet is, the faster it moves in general, which means a smaller LMD nanomedicine is preferred. These findings demonstrate the superior features of an LMD nanomedicine in drug delivery.

Oscillatory Motion of Water Droplets Both in Oil and on Superhydrophobic Surface under Corona Discharge

Charged droplets driven by Coulomb force are an important part of a droplet-based micro reactor. In this study, we realized the rapid oscillatory motion of droplets both in oil and on superhydrophobic surface by injecting charges through corona discharge. Distinct from the oscillatory motion of water droplets under a DC electric field, charge injection can make the motion of water droplets more flexible. A droplet in the oil layer can move up and down regularly under the action of corona discharge, and the discharge voltage can control the movement period and height of the droplet. In addition, the left-right translation of droplets on a superhydrophobic surface can be achieved by injecting charges into the hydrophobic film surface through corona discharge. Two kinds of droplet motion behaviors are systematically analyzed, and the mechanism of droplet motion is explained. The present results could help establish new approaches to designing efficient machines in microfluidics and micromechanical equipment.

Compact Three-Dimensional Digital Microfluidic Platforms with Programmable Contact Charge Electrophoresis Actuation

Digital microfluidics (DMF) has garnered considerable interest as a straightforward, rapid, and programmable technique for controlling microdroplets in various biological, chemical, and medicinal research disciplines. This study details the construction of compact and low-cost 3D DMF platforms with programmable contact charge electrophoresis (CCEP) actuations by employing electrode arrays composed of a small commercial pin socket and a 3D-printed housing. We demonstrate basic 3D droplet manipulation on the platform, including horizontal and vertical transport via lifting and climbing techniques, and droplet merging. Furthermore, phenolphthalein reaction and precipitation process are evaluated using the proposed 3D DMF manipulations as a proof of concept for chemical reaction-based analysis and synthesis. The threshold voltage (or electrical field) and maximum vertical transport velocity are quantified as a function of applied voltage and electrode distance to determine the CCEP actuation conditions for 3D droplet manipulations. The ease of manufacturing and flexibility of the proposed 3D DMF platform may provide an effective technique for programmable 3D manipulation of droplets in biochemical and medical applications, such as biochemical analysis and medical diagnostics.

Digital Microfluidic Mixing via Reciprocating Motions of Droplets Driven by Contact Charge Electrophoresis

Contact charge electrophoresis (CCEP) is an electrically controllable manipulation technique of conductive droplets and particles by charging and discharging when in contact with the electrode. Given its straightforward operation mechanism, low cost, and ease of system construction, it has gained traction as a versatile and potential strategy for the realistic establishment of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) in various engineering applications. We present a CCEP-based digital microfluidics (DMF) platform with two parallel electrode modules comprising assembled conventional pin header sockets, allowing for efficient mixing through horizontal and vertical shaking via droplet reciprocating motions. The temporal chromic change caused by the chemical reaction between the pH indicator and base solutions within the shaking droplets is quantitatively analyzed under various CCEP actuation conditions to evaluate the mixing performance in shaking droplets by vertical and horizontal reciprocating motions on the DMF platform. Furthermore, mixing flow patterns within shaking droplets are successfully visualized by a high-speed camera system. The suggested techniques can mix samples and reagents rapidly and efficiently in droplet-based microreactors for DMF applications, such as biochemical analysis and medical diagnostics.

Electrostatic dust removal using adsorbed moisture-assisted charge induction for sustainable operation of solar panels

Dust accumulation on solar panels is a major challenge, as it blocks a large portion of sunlight. Solar panels are therefore cleaned regularly using large quantities of pure water. Consumption of water for cleaning, especially in deserts, poses a substantial sustainability challenge. Here, we present a waterless approach for dust removal from solar panels using electrostatic induction. We find that dust particles, despite primarily consisting of insulating silica, can be electrostatically repelled from electrodes due to charge induction assisted by adsorbed moisture. We experimentally determine dust particle charge by conducting Stokes experiments under an electrostatic field. By considering electrostatic, van der Waals, and gravitational forces, we define the threshold electric potential for particle removal. We also demonstrate dust removal over a broad range of relative humidity, making our approach widely applicable. Last, we develop a lab-scale prototype and demonstrate up to 95% recovery of lost power output using our approach.

Effect of Deformation on Droplet Contact Charge Electrophoresis

The effect of deformation on the droplet contact charge electrophoresis (CCEP) was investigated for consistent droplet movement control. Through systematic experiments and numerical simulations, it has been found that overcharging by deformation is up to about 130% of the sphere and is mainly driven by the concentration of the electric field near the tip of the droplet rather than an increase in the surface area. Dimensional analysis revealed a consistent droplet CCEP motion with the electric capillary number range of 0.01-0.09. We also found that the dimensionless droplet charge follows a universal curve proportional to the electric capillary number, regardless of the droplet size, and the weak dependence on the droplet size shown in the experimental results is due to hydrodynamic effects, not electrostatic ones. Changes in droplet velocity distribution with droplet size and the electric capillary number were also investigated. Using the perfect conductor theory and Stokes law, we derived an analytical relationship between the droplet center velocity and the electric capillary number and analyzed the experimental results based on this relationship. This study implies that if proper hydrodynamic correction is applied, the droplet CCEP and its deformation effect can be explained by a perfect conductor theory.

Spontaneous Electrokinetic Magnus Effect

Colloids dispersed in electrolytes and exposed to an electric field produce a locally polarized cloud of ions around them. Above a critical electric field strength, an instability occurs causing these ion clouds to break symmetry leading to spontaneous rotation of particles about an axis orthogonal to the applied field, a phenomenon named Quincke rotation. In this Letter, we characterize a new mode of electrokinetic transport. If the colloids have a net charge, Quincke rotation couples with electrophoretic motion and propels particles in a direction orthogonal to both the applied field and the axis of rotation. This motion is a spontaneous, electrokinetic analogue to the well-known Magnus effect. Typically, motion orthogonal to a field requires anisotropy in particle shape, dielectric properties, or boundary geometry. Here, the electrokinetic Magnus (EKM) effect occurs for spheres with isotropic properties in an unbounded environment, with the Quincke rotation instability providing the broken symmetry needed to drive orthogonal motion. We study the EKM effect using explicit ion, Brownian dynamics simulations and develop a simple, continuum, analytic electrokinetic theory, which are in agreement. We also explain how nonlinearities in the theoretical description of the ions affect Quincke rotation and the EKM effect.

Wall Effects on Hydrodynamic Drag and the Corresponding Accuracy of Charge Measurement in Droplet Contact Charge Electrophoresis

Droplet size dependent wall effects on hydrodynamic drag and the corresponding droplet contact charge estimations were experimentally and theoretically investigated. The consistent reduction in the dimensionless droplet contact charges proportional to droplet size was reported and explained by the parallel and approaching wall effects on the drag coefficient. Extrapolation of the size dependent droplet charge data showed that the droplet charge follows the perfect conductor theory when the droplet radius approaches zero. The proposed model was applied to the drag calculation to estimate and compare dimensionless charges before and after consideration of the wall effects. The droplet free fall test concluded that the droplets in the current experimental setup follow Stokes' law. The theoretical velocity profile of the droplet approaching the wall perpendicularly is proposed considering the approaching wall effect on hydrodynamic drag and verified by comparison with the experiment. The droplet size dependent velocity profile shape change was also explained by this approaching wall effect. The shape of the asymmetric velocity profile along the direction of droplet movement was explained by the effect of the image charge through direct numerical calculation of the electric force. The direct calculation of the electric force also showed that the electric correction at the center of the cuvette is negligible; thus, it is sufficient to consider only hydrodynamic correction for accurate charge measurement in this experimental system. The present study will contribute to the accurate measurement of the droplet charges under contact charge electrophoresis. It also provides the basis for precise control of droplet movement in lab-on-a-chip devices.

Controllable High-Speed Electrostatic Manipulation of Water Droplets on a Superhydrophobic Surface

Biological processes and technological applications cannot work without liquid control, where versatile water droplet manipulation is a significant issue. Droplet motion is conventionally manipulated by functionalizing the target surface or by utilizing additives in the droplet, still, with uncontrolled limitation on superhydrophobic surfaces since droplets are either unable to move fast or are difficult to stop while moving. A controllable high-speed "all-in-one" no-loss droplet manipulation, that is, in-plane moving and stopping/pinning in any direction on a superhydrophobic surface, with electrostatic charging is demonstrated. The experimental results reveal that the transport speed can vary from zero to several hundreds of millimeters per second. Controlled dynamic switching between the onset moving state and the offset pinning state of a water droplet can be achieved by out-of-plane electrostatic charging. This work opens the possibility of droplet control techniques in various applications, such as combinatory chemistry, biochemical, and medical detection.

Significant enhancement of the electrorheological effect by non-straight electrode geometry

In contrast to the commonly used straight electrodes with electrorheological (ER) fluid, here, we studied the effect of non-straight electrodes comprising the sides of a microchannel, on the ER fluid response. A more than one order of magnitude enhancement of the apparent viscosity was observed for non-straight electrode geometries, where castellated and sawtooth electrode geometries were used merely as an example, relative to that measured for straight electrodes. The enhancement increased with increasing applied voltage and exhibited a distinct maximum in the frequency range of 5-10 Hz. Experimental analyses demonstrated that positive dielectrophoresis-driven attraction of the chain ends to the sharp tips of the electrode underlies the ER enhancement. Hence, introducing such uniformity breakage of the electric field through non-straight electrode geometries is of practical importance for enhancement of the ER response.

Galvanic replacement induced electromotive force to propel Janus micromotors

Electrochemistry is a highly versatile part of chemical research which is involved in many of the processes in the field of micromotion. Its input has been crucial from the synthesis of microstructures to the explanation of phoretic mechanisms. However, using electrochemical effects to propel artificial micromotors is still to be achieved. Here, we show that the forces generated by electrochemical reactions can not only create active motion, but they are also strong enough to overcome the adhesion to the substrate, caused by the increased ionic strength of the solutions containing the ions of more noble metals themselves. The galvanic replacement of copper by platinum ions is a spontaneous process, which not only provides a sufficiently strong electromotive force to propel the Janus structures but also results in asymmetric Pt-hatted structures, which can be further used as catalytic micromotors.

Fluorescence-Based Observation of Transient Electrochemical and Electrokinetic Effects at Nanoconfined Bipolar Electrodes

Bipolar electrodes (BPEs) are conductors that, when exposed to an electric field, polarize and promote the accumulation of counterionic charge near their poles. The rich physics of electrokinetic behavior near BPEs has not yet been rigorously studied, with our current understanding of such bipolar effects being restricted to steady-state conditions (under constant applied fields). Here, we reveal the dynamic electrokinetic and electrochemical phenomena that occur near nanoconfined BPEs throughout all stages of a reaction. Specifically, we demonstrate, both experimentally and through numerical modeling, that the removal of an electric field produces solution-phase charge imbalances in the vicinity of the BPE poles. These imbalances induce intense and short-lived nonequilibrium electric fields that drive the rapid transport of ions toward specific BPE locations. To determine the origin of these electrokinetic effects, we monitored the movement and fluorescent behavior (enhancement or quenching) of charged fluorophores within well-defined nanofluidic architectures via real-time optical detection. By systematically varying the nature of the fluorophore, the concentration of the electrolyte, the strength of the applied field, and oxide growth on the BPE surface, we dissect the ion transport events that occur in the aftermath of field-induced polarization. The results contained in this work provide new insights into transient bipolar electrokinetics that improve our understanding of current analytical platforms and can drive the development of new micro- and nanoelectrochemical systems.

Statistical Analysis of Droplet Charge Acquired during Contact with Electrodes in Strong Electric Fields

Aqueous droplets acquire charge when they contact electrodes in high-voltage electric fields. Although many researchers have investigated droplet charging under various conditions, the droplet charges are typically reported simply in terms of a mean and standard deviation. Here, we show that droplets often acquire significantly less charge for a single contact compared to the previous and subsequent contacts. These "low-charge events," which are not observed with charging of metal balls, yield up to a 60% decrease in charge acquired by the droplet and occur regardless of the applied field strength, droplet conductivity, or droplet volume. In all cases examined here, the occurrence of low-charge events to good approximation follows a negative binomial distribution (i.e., a Pascal distribution) with a mean probability of 13%. We further demonstrate that approximately 16% of charging events are characterized by "irregular" Taylor cone dynamics, suggesting that instabilities in the electrically driven deformation of the approaching liquid interface may be responsible for the low-charge events. The results indicate that workers using systems involving droplet charging should take into account the high likelihood of droplets randomly acquiring less charge than expected.