1 - Digital Microfluidics in Today's Microfluidics

Abstract

This chapter provides information on digital microfluidics. The development of microfluidics has been remarkable since the 1980s. The first applications of microfluidics were triggered by the generalization of ink-jet printing, and also to some extent by space applications, where droplets are used to feed micromotors. Today, the developments are boosted by biotechnology. Microfluidics is the basis of most biotechnological developments, because biological samples are in a liquid state and biological organisms live in an aqueous environment. The chapter describes the advantages of digital and droplet microfluidics over conventional microflows. The volumes of sample and reagents are significantly reduced, which is practical and diminishes the cost of the process; the results or the products are obtained in a much shorter time, which also contributes to reducing costs, or can be necessary for medical emergency reasons; the level of sensitivity is increased due to higher precision and selectivity of the process; and the risks with the manipulation of toxic or dangerous products are decreased.