Droplet Actuator Structures
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The objective of this research is to model and design a microfluidic system that uses electrostatic fields to induce movement of discrete droplets of solution. Of particular interest is movement of droplets of H2O for use in biological testing with lab-on a-chip and μTAS systems. Using computer modeling, the electric-fields for planar electrode configurations positioned on an insulating substrate are calculated for a hemispherical drop of H2O on the substrate at various positions. From these electric-fields the force on the drop is calculated. These models show that electrostatic actuation of droplets of H2O is possible. However, as the complexity of the model increases the properties of the system become less desirable and actuation may not be possible. Using microfabrication techniques, the modeled microfluidic systems have been built for testing using a Kapton substrate with copper electrodes. Hexadecenyltrichlorosilane (HTS), a self-assembled monolayer, and its oxidant have been studied and found capable of providing hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface coatings for the systems.
120 Citations
59 Claims
-
1. (canceled)
-
2. (canceled)
-
3. (canceled)
-
4. (canceled)
-
5. (canceled)
-
6. (canceled)
-
7. (canceled)
-
8. (canceled)
-
9. (canceled)
-
10. (canceled)
-
11. (canceled)
-
12. (canceled)
-
13. (canceled)
-
14. (canceled)
-
15. (canceled)
-
16. (canceled)
-
17. An apparatus for manipulating droplets, the apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a substrate comprising a surface; (b) a transport electrode disposed on the substrate surface and configured to impart a gradient force to a droplet, wherein the gradient force is sufficient to manipulate the droplet; and (c) a plurality of wires for providing power to the transport electrode, wherein the substrate, transport electrode and plurality of wires comprise a single-layer of a droplet actuator. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. An apparatus for manipulating a droplet, the apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a substrate comprising a surface; (b) a transport electrode disposed on the substrate surface; (c) a wire connected to and configured to deliver power to the transport electrode, wherein the wire produces electrostatic interference; and (d) an electrostatic interference reducing structure configured to minimize the electrostatic interference affecting the droplet wherein the substrate, transport electrode, wire and electrostatic interference reducing structure comprise a single-layer of a droplet actuator. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
-
-
43. (canceled)
-
44. (canceled)
-
45. (canceled)
-
46. A droplet actuator comprising:
-
(a) first and second substrates separated to form a gap, the first substrate comprising an inner surface facing the gap and an outer surface facing away from the gap; and (b) electrodes on the outer surface of the first substrate arranged for conducting droplet operations. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
-
-
53. (canceled)
-
54. (canceled)
-
55. A droplet actuator device comprising:
-
(a) a substrate comprising a droplet operations surface; and (b) a device comprising electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations and arranged to accept the substrate in a manner which brings the electrodes into contact with or into sufficient proximity to the droplet operations surface that the electrodes can mediate droplet operations in the gap.
-
-
56. (canceled)
-
57. (canceled)
-
58. (canceled)
-
59. (canceled)
Specification