Herein, we describe the monolithic integration of a multiphase microfluidic system to a microcapillary gel electrophoresis (μCGE) architecture for the complete isolation and storage of separated analyte bands. Within this platform, analyte molecules are separated using microchannel gel electrophoresis, and the eluted bands are stored in a sequence of approximately 40-600 encapsulating microdroplets. Importantly, employing such a system allows for total control of droplet size, shape, and composition. This approach is utilized to separate, optically detect, and encapsulate two fluorescent analytes from a composite sample mixture. Further to this, we subsequently investigate the potential of the system to be used as a concentration gradient generator through analysis of the segmented analyte bands and droplet composition.
We propose and outline a novel technique designed to utilize the unique surface repulsion present between aqueous droplets and customizable superhydrophobic surfaces for the on-chip spatial and temporal manipulation of droplets within microfluidic architectures. Through the integration of carefully designed and prepatterned superhydrophobic surfaces into polymer microfluidic chipsets, it is possible to take advantage of this enhanced surface repulsion to passively manipulate droplets on the microscale for a wide range of droplet operations, including but not limited to acceleration, deceleration, merging, and path control. This work aims to help fulfill and stimulate development based around current requirements for additional passive analytical manipulation and detection techniques in order to enable a reduction in experimental design complexity with the goal of facilitating and improving portability for Lab-on-a-chip devices.
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