3D Droplet Actuation in Digital Microfluidics Devices

Abstract

We introduce a method for 3D droplet actuation in digital microfluidics, which we have called all terrain droplet actuation (ATDA), in which droplets are manipulated on inclined, declined, vertical, twisted and upside down architectures. ATDA enables discrete processes on a single platform without thermal, chemical, or biological interference between them. To illustrate this capacity, we developed sensors capable of cycling droplets between distinct temperatures and oxygen milieu. We anticipate that ATDA will have significant impact in the field of microfluidics and the growing trend toward laboratory miniaturization.