On-Chip Droplet Dispensing by a Magnetically Driven Microtool

Abstract

We have investigated an active size controlled droplet generation system by using magnetically driven microtool (MMT). With a lateral motion of the MMT in microchannels, the continuous phase can be pinched off by the movement of MMT to obtain size-controlled droplets actively. With this method particle-enclosed droplet can be produced on demand to fit the size of each enclosed particle, and which is difficult to carry out by fluid dynamic force. For the current study, the system has been evaluated in terms of the frequency of MMT actuation and the size of droplets produced and which contribute to the effective transportation of cells in microchannel.