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An investigation into the kinematics of magnetically driven droplets on various (super)hydrophobic surfaces and their application to an automated multi-droplet platform

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry volume 411, pages 5393–5403 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Magnetic actuation on digital microfluidic (DMF) platforms may provide a low-cost, less cumbersome alternative for droplet manipulation in comparison to other techniques such as electrowetting-on-dielectric. Precise control of droplets in magnetically driven DMF platforms is achieved using a low-friction surface, magnetically susceptible material/droplet(s), and an applied magnetic field. Superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces offer limited friction for aqueous media as defined by their high water contact angles (WCA) (>150°) and low sliding angles (<10°). The low surface friction of such coatings and materials significantly reduces the force required for droplet transport. Here, we present a study that examines several actuation parameters including the effects of particle and particle-free actuation mechanisms, porous and non-porous SH materials, surface chemistry, droplet speed/acceleration, and the presence of surface energy traps (SETs) on droplet kinematics. Automated actuation was performed using an XY linear stepper gantry, which enabled sequential droplet actuation, mixing, and undocking operations to be performed in series. The results of this study are applied to a quantitative fluorescence-based DNA assay in under 2 min.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Guojun Liu’s research group at Queen’s University for assisting with contact angle measurements and NanoFabrication Kingston where the laser micromachining was performed. The authors would also like to acknowledge the funding bodies, namely CMC Microsystems for its microfabrication support, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (emSYSCAN Project) for infrastructure (XY gantry), and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for Discovery Grant Funding.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Queen’s University, 90 Bader Lane, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada

    Prashant Agrawal, Kyle J. Bachus, Gabrielle Carriere, Phoenix Grouse & Richard D. Oleschuk

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  1. Prashant Agrawal
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Correspondence to Richard D. Oleschuk.

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Published in the topical collection Ultrasmall Sample Biochemical Analysis with guest editors Ryan Kelly and Ying Zhu.

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Agrawal, P., Bachus, K.J., Carriere, G. et al. An investigation into the kinematics of magnetically driven droplets on various (super)hydrophobic surfaces and their application to an automated multi-droplet platform. Anal Bioanal Chem 411, 5393–5403 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1378-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1378-y

Keywords

  • Magnetic actuation
  • Superhydrophobic
  • Droplet
  • DNA quantitation