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Precise droplet volume measurement and electrode-based volume metering in digital microfluidics

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Abstract

In this work, for the first time, we demonstrate nanoscale droplet generation from a continuous electrowetting microchannel using a simple and precise image-based droplet volume metering technique. One of the most popular ways of droplet generation in electrowetting devices is to split a droplet from a preloaded volume as a fluid reservoir. This method is effective, but lowers volume consistency after multiple droplets are generated. Impedance- and capacitance-based methods of volume metering have been successfully used in digital microfluidics, but require complex circuitry and feedback signal processing. In this work, we demonstrate nanoliter droplet generation from a continuous electrowetting channel used as a replenishable fluid reservoir which compensates for the loss of reservoir volume as droplets are sequentially split. This improves volume consistency especially for applications requiring multi-droplet generation. Based on the area of the electrode, the volume of each droplet split from the electrowetting channel can be obtained by a simple and precise image processing technique with no need for additional hardware and measurement errors of ±0.05 %. This simple technique can be used in a wide range of applications that require precise volume metering, such as immunoassay.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge support by the National Science Foundation (ECCS-1001141) and the Ohio Center for Microfluidic Innovation (OCMI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computing Systems, University of Cincinnati, 812 Rhodes Hall, ML030, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA

    Yuguang Liu, Ananda Banerjee & Ian Papautsky

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  1. Yuguang Liu
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  2. Ananda Banerjee
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  3. Ian Papautsky
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ian Papautsky.

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Liu, Y., Banerjee, A. & Papautsky, I. Precise droplet volume measurement and electrode-based volume metering in digital microfluidics. Microfluid Nanofluid 17, 295–303 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-013-1318-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-013-1318-2

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