A micro-controller based approach for digital microfluidic sensors

Abstract

This work is oriented towards the study of digital microfluidic (DMF) devices. A DMF device is a liquid-droplets-handling platform with varied applications in the fields of medical diagnostics, drug discovery, chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, and basic scientific research. These operations can be performed in a rapid, low-cost, portable, and reliable environment using DMF devices. Two of the important elements of DMF devices are electro-wetting on dielectric phenomenon and hydrophobicity. Under an applied voltage of either AC or DC, the electro-wetting effect induces a reduction in the contact angle of the droplet with the hydrophobic surface. This enables manipulation of motion and position of droplets on the hydrophobic surface. In this work, the actuation of droplets on an open DMF device with a single array of electrodes is carried out. The fabrication of DMF plate is carried out on a copper covered plate by patterning using black tapes and etching using etchants. The circuit is arranged using PCB, jumper wires, 8-channel relay, 9V battery, ac-power regulator and a microcontroller (Arduino/Genuino UNO).