Abstract
This paper presents a brief overview of Electro Wetting On Dielectric (EWOD) microdroplet actuation technology fluidic behaviour. EWOD specifics are compared with other digital microfluidics actuation modes. In particular ease of integration with complex protocols is emphasized. After reviewing the electro-wetting principle and various Electro-Hydro-Dynamic (EHD) phenomena; we compare various EWOD configurations for Lab on a Chip. Two fluid functionalities will be detailed: on-chip droplet dispensing, and mixing. We cover chip architecture and the benefits of organizing these chips as fludic microprocessors. Finally, real time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) within a 64 nl droplet is described as an illustration of a biological application using EWOD.
Highlights
The droplet is dispensed in a confined system, moves to an open system and takes off in a vertical movement toward the high substrate. This vertical motion is not based on EWOD actuation it appears complementary, adding functionalities: for instance reaction or reagent storage on a higher plane, or droplet oscillation between two substrates of different temperatures inducing thermal cycling of the droplets
In the same way, coupling EWOD and channel based microfluidics may help for integrating new applications
EWOD technology has been used for chips involved in the preparation and identification of proteins analyzed by matrix)assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI)MS) [44]
Summary
Lab on a chip may be described as a microsystem capable of performing chemical or biological analysis, within a completely miniaturized and integrated component. Compared to the number of publications, the number of commercial microfluidic based device remains small revealing the difficulties of miniaturization and integration of complex protocols. This diversity of applications has given rise to a large number of technologies based on the manipulation of small volumes of liquids. We have witnessed the emergence of a huge variety of fluidic methods for the manipulation and control of fluids at a small scale These various microfluidic approaches have all advantages and inconvenients, and it is rather difficult to predict which solutions, for which application will prevail. Key results and observations on EWOD actuation are reported here
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