Capacitance-based droplet position estimator for digital microfluidic devices

Combining sensors and actuators with electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD): advanced digital microfluidic systems for biomedical applications

The concept of digital microfluidics (DMF) enables highly flexible and precise droplet manipulation at a picoliter scale, making DMF a promising approach to realize integrated, miniaturized "lab-on-a-chip" (LOC) systems for research and clinical purposes. Owing to its simplicity and effectiveness, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) is one of the most commonly studied and applied effects to implement DMF. However, complex biomedical assays usually require more sophisticated sample handling and detection capabilities than basic EWOD manipulation. Alternatively, combined systems integrating EWOD actuators and other fluidic handling techniques are essential for bringing DMF into practical use. In this paper, we briefly review the main approaches for the integration/combination of EWOD with other microfluidic manipulation methods or additional external fields for specified biomedical applications. The form of integration ranges from independently operating sub-systems to fully coupled hybrid actuators. The corresponding biomedical applications of these works are also summarized to illustrate the significance of these innovative combination attempts.

Trampolining of Droplets on Hydrophobic Surfaces Using Electrowetting

Droplet detachment from solid surfaces is an essential part of many industrial processes. Electrowetting is a versatile tool for handling droplets in digital microfluidics, not only on plain surface but also in 3-D manner. Here, we report for the first time droplet trampolining using electrowetting. With the information collected by the real-time capacitor sensing system, we are able to synchronize the actuation signal with the spreading of the droplet upon impacting. Since electrowetting is applied each time the droplet impacts the substrate and switched off during recoiling of the droplet, the droplet gains additional momentum upon each impact and is able to jump higher during successive detachment. We have modelled the droplet trampolining behavior with a periodically driven harmonic oscillator, and the experiments showed sound agreement with theoretical predictions. The findings from this study will offer valuable insights to applications that demands vertical transportation of the droplets between chips arranged in parallel, or detachment of droplets from solid surfaces.

Machine vision-based driving and feedback scheme for digital microfluidics system

A digital microfluidic system based on electrowetting-on-dielectric is a new technology for controlling microliter-sized droplets on a plane. By applying a voltage signal to an electrode, the droplets can be controlled to move, merge, and split. Due to device design, fabrication, and runtime uncertainties, feedback control schemes are necessary to ensure the reliability and accuracy of a digital microfluidic system for practical application. The premise of feedback is to obtain accurate droplet position information. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop a digital microfluidics system integrated with driving, position, and feedback functions for different areas of study. In this article, we propose a driving and feedback scheme based on machine vision for the digital microfluidics system. A series of experiments including droplet motion, merging, status detection, and self-adaption are performed to evaluate the feasibility and the reliability of the proposed scheme. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme can accurately locate multiple droplets and improve the success rate of different applications. Furthermore, the proposed scheme provides an experimental platform for scientists who focused on the digital microfluidics system.

An efficient module-less synthesis approach for Digital Microfluidic Biochip

Digital Microfluidic Biochips (DMFBs) will require error-free synthesis techniques which can function at much higher speed while implementing on real-time systems and capable of tackling more complex assay operations. Until now various bio-assays are successfully implemented based on different mixing modules present on such lab-on-chips. In present work, the concept of such dedicated virtual modules has been eliminated and a novel module-less-synthesis (MLS) method is proposed for accomplishing high-performance bio-protocols. Various shift-patterns (movements) of the micro-droplets are identified to accomplish entire mixing in lesser time compared to earlier module-based synthesis methods. We have also computed the percentage of mixing accomplishment for each directional-shift of the mixer-droplet. However, path congestion problem and operational errors are inevitable in MLS approach. Hence, the path congestion and washing problem in MLS is addressed by tweaking the earlier MLS approach and a new modified-MLS (MMLS) method is proposed. Finally, washing optimization technique on MMLS method is also given. Different real-life bio assays like PCR, IVD are tested with the proposed technique as well as synthetic benchmarks (hard test benches) are also incorporated in the experiments. For both kind of benchmarks synthesis performance improved with bioassay completion time ( T max ) significantly reduced compared to existing synthesis approaches on DMFB platform.

A feedback-controlling digital microfluidic fluorimetric sensor device for simple and rapid detection of mercury (II) in costal seawater

By combination of miniaturization potential of digital microfluidics (DMF) and sensitivity of fluorescence probe, an integrated sensor device has been initially constructed for mercury detection in coastal waters. The actuation feature of the detecting target, seawater droplet, which remains unclear, was basically explored. To overcome a potential risk of driven failure, induced by diversity ion ingredients in seawater, a feedback control loop was included into control system. Analyzing method for coastal waters was well established on DMF, which showed satisfied stability and selectivity in Hg sensing under high salinity condition, with the sensitivity of Hg²⁺ at the parts per billion level and total testing time less than 20s. With the advantages of being fast, amenable to automation and low cost, this device is promising for the formation of simple and rapid sensor device, especially for a routine monitoring and emergency detection of Hg/or other metals in coastal waters.

Compact Nanowire Sensors Probe Microdroplets

The conjunction of miniature nanosensors and droplet-based microfluidic systems conceptually opens a new route toward sensitive, optics-less analysis of biochemical processes with high throughput, where a single device can be employed for probing of thousands of independent reactors. Here we combine droplet microfluidics with the compact silicon nanowire based field effect transistor (SiNW FET) for in-flow electrical detection of aqueous droplets one by one. We chemically probe the content of numerous (∼10(4)) droplets as independent events and resolve the pH values and ionic strengths of the encapsulated solution, resulting in a change of the source-drain current ISD through the nanowires. Further, we discuss the specificities of emulsion sensing using ion sensitive FETs and study the effect of droplet sizes with respect to the sensor area, as well as its role on the ability to sense the interior of the aqueous reservoir. Finally, we demonstrate the capability of the novel droplets based nanowire platform for bioassay applications and carry out a glucose oxidase (GOx) enzymatic test for glucose detection, providing also the reference readout with an integrated parallel optical detector.

Monitoring microbial metabolites using an inductively coupled resonance circuit

We present a new approach to monitor microbial population dynamics in emulsion droplets via changes in metabolite composition, using an inductively coupled LC resonance circuit. The signal measured by such resonance detector provides information on the magnetic field interaction with the bacterial culture, which is complementary to the information accessible by other detection means, based on electric field interaction, i.e. capacitive or resistive, as well as optical techniques. Several charge-related factors, including pH and ammonia concentrations, were identified as possible contributors to the characteristic of resonance detector profile. The setup enables probing the ionic byproducts of microbial metabolic activity at later stages of cell growth, where conventional optical detection methods have no discriminating power.

Direct writing on paper of foldable capacitive touch pads with silver nanowire inks

Paper-based capacitive touch pads can be fabricated utilizing high-concentration silver nanowire inks needle-printed directly onto paper substrates through a 2D programmable platform. Post deposition, silver nanowire tracks can be photonically sintered using a camera flash to reduce sheet resistance similar to thermal sintering approaches. Touch pad sensors on a variety of paper substrates can be achieved with optimized silver nanowire tracks. Rolling and folding trials, which yielded only modest changes in capacitance and no loss of function, coupled with touch pad functionality on curved surfaces, suggest sufficient flexibility and durability for paper substrate touch pads to be used in diverse applications. A simplified model to predict touch pad capacitance variation ranges with differing touch conditions was developed, with good agreement against experimental results. Such paper-based touch pads have the advantage of simple structure, easy fabrication, and fast sintering, which holds promise for numerous commercial applications including low-cost portable devices where ultrathin and lightweight features, coupled with reliable bending stability are desirable.

Microfluidics and Raman microscopy: current applications and future challenges

Raman microscopy systems are becoming increasingly widespread and accessible for characterising chemical species. Microfluidic systems are also progressively finding their way into real world applications. Therefore, it is anticipated that the integration of Raman systems with microfluidics will become increasingly attractive and practical. This review aims to provide an overview of Raman microscopy-microfluidics integrated systems for researchers who are actively interested in utilising these tools. The fundamental principles and application strengths of Raman microscopy are discussed in the context of microfluidics. Various configurations of microfluidics that incorporate Raman microscopy methods are presented, with applications highlighted. Data analysis methods are discussed, with a focus on assisting the interpretation of Raman-microfluidics data from complex samples. Finally, possible future directions of Raman-microfluidic systems are presented.

An intelligent digital microfluidic system with fuzzy-enhanced feedback for multi-droplet manipulation

The complexity of droplet hydrodynamics on a digital microfluidic (DMF) system eventually weakens its potential for application in large-scale chemical/biological micro-reactors. We describe here an intelligent DMF technology to address that intricacy. A wide variety of control-engaged droplet manageability is proposed and demonstrated through the operation of our modular DMF prototype, which comprises: (i) rigid profiling ability of different droplet's hydrodynamics under a real-time trajectory track of droplet-derived capacitance, permitting accurate and autonomous multi-droplet positioning without visual setup and heavy image signal processing; (ii) fuzzy-enhanced controllability saving up to 21% charging time when compared with the classical approach, enhancing the throughput, fidelity and lifetime of the DMF chip, while identifying and renouncing those weakened electrodes deteriorated over time, and (iii) expert manipulability of multi-droplet routings under countermeasure decisions in real time, preventing droplet-to-droplet or task-to-task interference. Altogether, this work exhibits the first modular DMF system with built-in electronic-control software-defined intelligence to enhance the fidelity and reliability of each droplet operation, allowing future manufacturability of a wide range of life science analyses and combinatorial chemical screening applications.

Droplet sensing by measuring the capacitance between coplanar electrodes in a digital microfluidic system

In this paper, we report a novel method of droplet sensing in a two-plate digital microfluidic system (DMS) based on coplanar capacitance measurement. The total capacitance between the two adjacent electrodes on the lower plate depends on the position of the droplet. Both numerical and experimental results show that the capacitance is maximal at the midpoint between two electrodes. The value of maximum capacitance increases with the volume of the droplet. Further, the measured capacitance is a function of the gaps between the electrodes as well as the plates. This new method of droplet sensing adds to the functionality of DMSs by allowing single plate measurement.