Three-dimensional digital microfluidics and applications

Digital microfluidics, by the electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD), is a promising way to manipulate biological targets like DNA, proteins, or cells in very small liquid volumes. Conventionally, digital microfluidic operations are performed on a two-dimensional electrode array. This research expands the two-dimensional conventional digital microfluidic architecture into a three-dimensional architecture. The concept relies on the possibility that back and forth motions between open and covered regions are possible under electrowetting actuation. Two face-to-face plates based on “microelectrode dot array” (MEDA) architecture form the foundation of the two-layer microfluidic operations and a dual open/covered hybrid design adds the inter-layer microfluidic connection to complete the three-dimensional system. By combining the advantages of the open/covered systems, a three-dimensional digital microfluidics may achieve better droplet routing capabilities and fit more functions into a given footprint.