Systems and methods for optical actuation of microfluidics based on OPTO-electrowetting
First Claim
1. A method of manipulating a droplet, comprising:
- providing a first plate and a second plate electrically coupled to a bias voltage;
said first and second plates having opposing surfaces;
placing at least one droplet between the opposing surfaces of the first and second plates; and
selectively illuminating portions of at least one opposing surface of the first plate or the second plate such that the illuminated portion induces a gradient in surface tension of the droplet;
wherein the gradient in the surface tension imparts motion to the droplet, thereby facilitating manipulation of the droplet.
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Abstract
The invention is related to methods and apparatus that manipulate droplets in a microfluidic environment. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention manipulate droplets by controlling the electro-wetting characteristics of a surface with light, thereby inducing a gradient in the surface tension of a droplet. The gradient in the surface tension propels the droplet by capillary force. A variety of operations, such as transporting, joining, cutting, and creating can be performed. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention obviate the need to create a relatively large and complex control electrode array. A plurality of photoconductive cells or a layer of a photoconductive material selectively couples an electrode carrying an electrical bias to otherwise floating conductive cells in response to a beam of light. The electrical bias applied to the conductive cell generates a localized electric field, which can change the contact angle of the droplet, thereby permitting the droplet to be propelled.
39 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of manipulating a droplet, comprising:
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providing a first plate and a second plate electrically coupled to a bias voltage; said first and second plates having opposing surfaces; placing at least one droplet between the opposing surfaces of the first and second plates; and selectively illuminating portions of at least one opposing surface of the first plate or the second plate such that the illuminated portion induces a gradient in surface tension of the droplet; wherein the gradient in the surface tension imparts motion to the droplet, thereby facilitating manipulation of the droplet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of manipulating a droplet, comprising:
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providing a first plate and a second plate; said first and second plates having opposing surfaces; said first and second plates coupled to a voltage bias source; wherein at least one of said opposing surfaces comprises a photoconductive layer; placing a droplet between the opposing surfaces of the first and second plates; and selectively illuminating portions of said photoconductive layer such that the illuminated portion induces a gradient in surface tension of the droplet; wherein the gradient in the surface tension imparts motion to the droplet, thereby facilitating manipulation of the droplet. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manipulating a droplet, comprising:
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providing a first plate and a second plate electrically coupled to a bias voltage; said first and second plates having opposing surfaces; providing a source of light configured to impinge upon portions of said opposing surfaces of said first and second plates in a predetermined locations and sequence over time; placing a plurality of droplets between the opposing surfaces of the first and second plates; and selectively illuminating portions of at least one opposing surface of the first plate or the second plate according to the sequence such that the illuminated portion induces a gradient in surface tension of the droplets; wherein the gradient in the surface tension imparts motion to the droplets, thereby facilitating manipulation of the droplets. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification