Digital microfluidics: a versatile tool for applications in chemistry, biology and medicine

Jebrail, Mais J.; Bartsch, Michael; Patel, Kamlesh D.

doi:10.1039/c2lc40318h

Cited by 272 publications

(167 citation statements)

References 97 publications

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“…Precise control of individual droplets can be achieved, thus providing greater flexibility and facilitating the implementation of multi-step reactions. 9,10 The electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) phenomenon 11 is one of the most common actuation mechanisms used in DMF and has been widely adopted in biomedical [12][13][14][15][16] and, sometimes, other applications. 17,18 Traditional EWOD devices, however, still require an external high-voltage supply and switching circuitry, which require significant custom development to realize compact systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EWOD (electrowetting on dielectric) digital microfluidics powered by finger actuation

et al. 2014

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We report finger-actuated digital microfluidics (F-DMF) based on the manipulation of discrete droplets via the electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) phenomenon. Instead of requiring an external power supply, our F-DMF uses piezoelectric elements to convert mechanical energy produced by human fingers to electric voltage pulses for droplet actuation. Voltage outputs of over 40 V are provided by single piezoelectric elements, which is necessary for oil-free EWOD devices with thin (typically <1 μm) dielectric layers. Higher actuation voltages can be provided using multiple piezoelectric elements connected in series when needed. Using this energy conversion scheme, we confirmed basic modes of EWOD droplet operation, such as droplet transport, splitting and merging. Using two piezoelectric elements in series, we also successfully demonstrated applications of F-DMF for glucose detection and immunoassay. Not requiring power sources, F-DMF offers intriguing paths for various portable and other microfluidic applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EWOD (electrowetting on dielectric) digital microfluidics powered by finger actuation

et al. 2014

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“…reconfigure sample processing trains) without altering the device hardware. Its tremendous flexibility is evident in its recent emergence as a key technology in a wide range of applications, including cell culture 16,17 , enzyme assays 18,19 , immunoassays 20,21 , DNA analysis 22,23 to DMF devices, and further enhances it through the addition of microcapillary interfaces, which provides opportunity to carry out a subset of manipulations (e.g. cell culture) in specialized peripheral modules, rather than on the DMF device itself.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Versatile Automated Platform for Micro-scale Cell Stimulation Experiments

Sinha

Jebrail

Kim

et al. 2013

JoVE

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Study of cells in culture (in vitro analysis) has provided important insight into complex biological systems. Conventional methods and equipment for in vitro analysis are well suited to study of large numbers of cells (≥10 5 ) in milliliter-scale volumes (≥0.1 ml). However, there are many instances in which it is necessary or desirable to scale down culture size to reduce consumption of the cells of interest and/or reagents required for their culture, stimulation, or processing. Unfortunately, conventional approaches do not support precise and reproducible manipulation of micro-scale cultures, and the microfluidics-based automated systems currently available are too complex and specialized for routine use by most laboratories. To address this problem, we have developed a simple and versatile technology platform for automated culture, stimulation, and recovery of small populations of cells (100 -2,000 cells) in micro-scale volumes (1 -20 μl). The platform consists of a set of fibronectincoated microcapillaries ("cell perfusion chambers"), within which micro-scale cultures are established, maintained, and stimulated; a digital microfluidics (DMF) device outfitted with "transfer" microcapillaries ("central hub"), which routes cells and reagents to and from the perfusion chambers; a high-precision syringe pump, which powers transport of materials between the perfusion chambers and the central hub; and an electronic interface that provides control over transport of materials, which is coordinated and automated via pre-determined scripts. As an example, we used the platform to facilitate study of transcriptional responses elicited in immune cells upon challenge with bacteria. Use of the platform enabled us to reduce consumption of cells and reagents, minimize experiment-to-experiment variability, and re-direct hands-on labor. Given the advantages that it confers, as well as its accessibility and versatility, our platform should find use in a wide variety of laboratories and applications, and prove especially useful in facilitating analysis of cells and stimuli that are available in only limited quantities. Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at

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“…Microfluidics is one of the promising platforms for developing portable devices that allow real-time screening and on-chip diagnosis [5,6]. In particular, the reconfigurable architecture of digital microfluidic (DMF) systems permits the real-time change of fluidic protocols on the same chip, which cannot be achieved in conventional continuous flow systems [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Although several attempts have been made to introduce continuous microfluidic operations inside portable devices [13,14], few studies have focused on developing portable DMF platforms [15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultra-Portable Smartphone Controlled Integrated Digital Microfluidic System in a 3D-Printed Modular Assembly

et al. 2015

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Portable sensors and biomedical devices are influenced by the recent advances in microfluidics technologies, compact fabrication techniques, improved detection limits and enhanced analysis capabilities. This paper reports the development of an integrated ultraportable, low-cost, and modular digital microfluidic (DMF) system and its successful integration with a smartphone used as a high-level controller and post processing station. Low power and cost effective electronic circuits are designed to generate the high voltages required for DMF operations in both open and closed configurations (from 100 to 800 V). The smartphone in turn commands a microcontroller that manipulate the voltage signals required for droplet actuation in the DMF chip and communicates wirelessly with the microcontroller via Bluetooth module. Moreover, the smartphone acts as a detection and image analysis station with an attached microscopic lens. The holder assembly is fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to facilitate rapid prototyping. The holder features a modular design that enables convenient attachment/detachment of a variety of DMF chips to/from an electrical busbar. The electrical circuits, controller and communication system are designed to minimize the power consumption in order to run the device on small lithium ion batteries. Successful controlled DMF operations and a basic colorimetric assay using the smartphone are demonstrated.

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Digital microfluidics: a versatile tool for applications in chemistry, biology and medicine

Cited by 272 publications

References 97 publications

EWOD (electrowetting on dielectric) digital microfluidics powered by finger actuation

EWOD (electrowetting on dielectric) digital microfluidics powered by finger actuation

A Versatile Automated Platform for Micro-scale Cell Stimulation Experiments

Ultra-Portable Smartphone Controlled Integrated Digital Microfluidic System in a 3D-Printed Modular Assembly

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