Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
In this paper, a general methodology for the dynamic study of electrostatically actuated droplets is presented. A simplified 1D transient model is developed to investigate the transient response of a droplet to an actuation voltage and to study the effect of geometrical and fluid-thermal properties and electrical parameters on this behavior. First, the general approach for the dynamic droplet motion model is described. All forces acting on the droplet are introduced and presented in a simplified algebraic expression. For the retentive force, the empirically extracted correlations are used, and for the electrostatic actuation force, results from electrostatic finite element simulations are used. The dynamic model is applied to electrowetting induced droplet motion between parallel plates in the case of a single actuation electrode and for an array of electrodes. Using this methodology, the influence of the switching frequency and actuation voltage is studied. Furthermore, a linearized equivalent damped mass—spring model is presented to approximate the dynamic droplet motion. It is shown that the optimal switching frequency can be estimated by twice the natural frequency of the linearized damped mass—spring system.
Highlights
Electrowetting is a technique to manipulate fluids on a millimetre or micrometre scale by altering the wetting properties under the application of an electrical field [1]
In lab-on-chip devices, electrowetting is used for microfluidic actuation and manipulation
The droplet is considered as a single mass M moving through the channel as a result of the electrostatic actuation force
Summary
Electrowetting is a technique to manipulate fluids on a millimetre or micrometre scale by altering the wetting properties under the application of an electrical field [1]. A generic simplified macroscopic model is described to predict the dynamics of droplet motion as a reaction to the application of a voltage at a single electrode or subsequently at an array of electrodes. Inputs for this model are the experimentally-derived material characterization properties and the calculated electrostatic actuation force. Based on the transient behavior of an individual droplet, a suitable frequency can be chosen to switch the voltage between the subsequent electrodes that allows the development an efficient algorithm for the voltage application to optimize the flow rate, ensuring a continuous droplet flow through the channel and to minimize power consumption
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
