Portable particle sorting device based on digital microfluidics utilizing micropillars

Abstract

With introducing the possibility of early diagnosis through biomarker detection, this method has become important in the field of disease diagnosis. Particle sorting based on conventional digital microfluidics (DMF) mostly employs magnetic beads. In this study, the micropillar-based DMF device confirmed the ability of microbead filtering to detect specific biomarkers. The proposed device was implemented using micro-electromechanical systems, and SU-8 micropillar was realized based on the micro-patterning technology. DMF was able to control droplet movements considering the principle of electrowetting on dielectric. The moving speed of a droplet varied according to the electrode shape and applied voltage. As the droplet moved, the polystyrene bead was sorted corresponding to the interval of the fabricated SU-8 micropillar.