Mobile Microfluidics

Abstract

Microfluidics platforms can program small amounts of fluids to execute a bio-protocol, and thus, can automate the work of a technician and also integrate a large part of laboratory equipment. Although most microfluidic systems have considerably reduced the size of a laboratory, they are still benchtop units, of a size comparable to a desktop computer. In this paper, we argue that achieving true mobility in microfluidics would revolutionize the domain by making laboratory services accessible during traveling or even in daily situations, such as sport and outdoor activities. We review the existing efforts to achieve mobility in microfluidics, and we discuss the conditions mobile biochips need to satisfy. In particular, we show how we adapted an existing biochip for mobile use, and we present the results when using it during a train ride. Based on these results and our systematic discussion, we identify the challenges that need to be overcome at technical, usability and social levels. In analogy to the history of computing, we make some predictions on the future of mobile biochips. In our vision, mobile biochips will disrupt how people interact with a wide range of healthcare processes, including medical testing and synthesis of on-demand medicine.

Cell-free biology using remote-controlled digital microfluidics for individual droplet control

“…The DMF hardware system used was the commercially available OpenDrop V3 board from Gaudi Labs, 31 which was an integrated chip device based on the ATSAMD21 ARM Cortex M0 processor that goes to the high voltage output via USB. The ready-made electrode array was assembled, and air was isolated by using 5 cs silicone oil.…”

“…The initial path setting is a heavy workload and not exible enough. 31 Moreover, the error rate is high, especially when there is a problem in the middle of the path. It is oen impossible to move the next frame, and thus an overall motion error occurs.…”

“…29,30 Gaudenz's group has released the OpenDrop product as an integrated DIY platform for DMF biochips; its users include academia, companies, hackerspaces, and even individuals. 31 The velocity of a droplet is measured using an OpenDrop device to optimize the thickness and the types of dielectric layers to improve the droplet actuation. 32 2D DMF arrays are limited to small sizes, which hinders high throughput screening applications; Ishii's group addressed these issues by scaling electrowetting for large area droplet manipulation, enabling multiple parallel operations.…”

Scaling Electrowetting with Printed Circuit Boards for Large Area Droplet Manipulation

“…Most electrowetting devices in the literature use one dimensional row and column geometry for electrodes [5] or small grids [11]. This limitation arises primarily from the fabrication method used for making electrode arrays.…”

A Simple Strategy for Easily Assembling 3D Printed Miniaturized Cells Suitable for Simultaneous Electrochemical and Spectrophotometric Analyses

“…These approaches enable the rapid assembling of fluidic systems and electronic devices which are essential components of miniaturized and portable analytical devices. These tools, have led to the rapid growing of many DIY (Do‐It‐Yourself) projects and the development of several custom‐built analytical devices, resorting to readily available materials with performance similar to that offered by research‐grade instrumentation . In addition, differently from benchtop “back‐blox” commercial apparatus, they are versatile enough and can be easily modified on the basis of specific analytical requirements.…”