Droplet actuator with improved top substrate
First Claim
1. A droplet actuator comprising a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap, wherein:
- (a) the base substrate comprises electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and
(b) the top substrate comprises a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion comprises one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap.
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Abstract
The invention provides a droplet actuator. The droplet actuator may include a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap. The base substrate may include electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and the top substrate may include a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion may include one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap. The invention also provides related methods of manufacturing the droplet actuator, methods of using the droplet actuator, and methods of loading the droplet actuator.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A droplet actuator comprising a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap, wherein:
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(a) the base substrate comprises electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and (b) the top substrate comprises a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion comprises one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of loading a fluid onto a droplet actuator, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a droplet actuator comprising a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap, wherein; (i) the base substrate comprises electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and (ii) the top substrate comprises a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion comprises one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap; and (b) loading a fluid through the opening and into the gap.
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15. A method of assembling a droplet actuator comprising a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap, wherein the base substrate comprises electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap, and the top substrate comprises a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion comprises one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap, the method comprising:
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(a) coupling the glass substrate portion to the non-glass portion; and (b) assembling the top substrate with the bottom substrate to form a gap therebetween suitable for conducting droplet operations.
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16. A method of conducting a droplet operation, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a droplet actuator comprising a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap, wherein; (i) the base substrate comprises electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and (ii) the top substrate comprises a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion comprises one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap; and (b) loading a liquid onto the droplet actuator into proximity with one or more electrodes; and (c) using the one or more electrodes to conduct the droplet operation.
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Specification