Rapid droplet mixers for digital microfluidic systems
Top Cited Papers
- 12 September 2003
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Lab on a Chip
- Vol. 3 (4) , 253-259
- https://doi.org/10.1039/b307628h
Abstract
The mixing of analytes and reagents for a biological or chemical lab-on-a-chip is an important, yet difficult, microfluidic operation. As volumes approach the sub-nanoliter regime, the mixing of liquids is hindered by laminar flow conditions. An electrowetting-based linear-array droplet mixer has previously been reported. However, fixed geometric parameters and the presence of flow reversibility have prevented even faster droplet mixing times. In this paper, we study the effects of varying droplet aspect ratios (height ∶ diameter) on linear-array droplet mixers, and propose mixing strategies applicable for both high and low aspect ratio systems. An optimal aspect ratio for four electrode linear-array mixing was found to be 0.4, with a mixing time of 4.6 seconds. Mixing times were further reduced at this ratio to less than three seconds using a two-dimensional array mixer, which eliminates the effects of flow reversibility. For lower aspect ratio (≤0.2) systems, we present a split-and-merge mixer that takes advantage of the ability to perform droplet splitting at these ratios, resulting in a mixing time of less than two seconds.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- A digital microfluidic biosensor for multianalyte detectionPublished by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ,2003
- Enhancement of mixing by droplet-based microfluidicsPublished by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ,2003
- Creating, transporting, cutting, and merging liquid droplets by electrowetting-based actuation for digital microfluidic circuitsJournal of Microelectromechanical Systems, 2003
- Electrowetting-based droplet mixers for microfluidic systemsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: six mpeg videos showing some mixing schemes used in Fig. 7. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/lc/b2/b210825a/Lab on a Chip, 2003
- Electrowetting-based actuation of droplets for integrated microfluidicsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: six videos showing droplet flow, droplet dispensing and electrowetting. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/lc/b1/b110474h/Lab on a Chip, 2002
- Electrowetting and electrowetting-on-dielectric for microscale liquid handlingSensors and Actuators A: Physical, 2002
- Dielectrophoretic liquid actuation and nanodroplet formationJournal of Applied Physics, 2001
- Electrowetting-based actuation of liquid droplets for microfluidic applicationsApplied Physics Letters, 2000
- Handling of Picoliter Liquid Samples in a Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-Based Microfluidic DeviceAnalytical Chemistry, 1999
- Electrostatic actuation of liquid droplets for micro-reactor applicationsIEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 1998