A microfluidic device for self-synchronised production of droplets

作者：Gupta Ruchi^*; Baldock Sara J; Carreras Pilar; Fielden Peter R; Goddard Nick J; Mohr Stephan; Razavi Behnam S; Brown Bernard J Treves

来源：Lab on a Chip, 2011, 11(23): 4052-4056.

DOI：10.1039/c1lc20695h

The primary requirement for a mixing operation in droplet-based microfluidic devices is an accurate pairing of droplets of reaction fluids over an extended period of time. In this paper, a novel device for self-synchronous production of droplets has been demonstrated. The device uses a change in impedance across a pair of electrodes introduced due to the passage of a pre-formed droplet to generate a second droplet at a second pair of electrodes. The device was characterised using image analysis. Droplets with a volume of similar to 23.5 +/- 3.1 nl (i.e. similar to 93% of the volume of pre-formed droplets) were produced on applying a voltage of 500 V. The synchronisation efficiency of the device was 83%. As the device enables self-synchronised production of droplets, it has a potential to increase the reliability and robustness of mixing operations in droplet-based microfluidic devices.

• 出版日期2011