A Review for Droplet Routing Algorithms on Digital Microfluid Biochip

Abstract

From 2019, a new kind of virus covid-19 has spread to the world and causes serious health problem on many people. With the growing spreading of virus, covid-19, there is an increasing need for developing rapid means of diagnosis for PCR uses and possibly high throughput screening to develop new drug. As a result, developing DMFB (Digital microfluid biochip) has a broad application prospect. DMFB can be used as an experimental platform to automatically conduct various kinds of biochemical tests, including PCR. It can conduct multiple tests concurrently, using only nano-liter scales reagents. With computer aided, DMFB can save people a lot of energy and resources. To finalize this automated system, we should incorporate some algorithms in it. The routing algorithms of droplets on chip is an important part of implementing the whole system. Finding a good droplet routing algorithm can reduce the time of the whole experimental procedure as well as reduce the amount of cross-contamination to increase the accuracy rate of the experiment outcome. In this paper, a brief introduction of each measure is presented. Then an estimation of their performance is conducted by using the data they attach on their paper, using their own simulator on standard bench test. Furthermore, this paper estimates their actual utility when they are practically used on hardware facility. Finally, this review ends with a discussion about the most promising research direction in the future. This paper aims to make a concise catalog of droplet routing algorithms by first decomposing them and then classifying them according to the different stages they are being used.