Close category search window
 

Optimization of device geometry in single-plate digital microfluidics

Sign In

Cookies must be enabled to login.After enabling cookies , please use refresh or reload or ctrl+f5 on the browser for the login options.

Formats Non-Member Member
$31 $31
Learn how you can qualify for the best price for this item!
Become an IEEE Member or Subscribe to
IEEE Xplore for exclusive pricing!
close button

puzzle piece

IEEE membership options for an individual and IEEE Xplore subscriptions for an organization offer the most affordable access to essential journal articles, conference papers, standards, eBooks, and eLearning courses.

Learn more about:

IEEE membership

IEEE Xplore subscriptions

3 Author(s)
Abdelgawad, M. ; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King’s College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada ; Park, Philip ; Wheeler, A.R.

Your organization might have access to this article on the publisher's site. To check, click on this link:http://dx.doi.org/+10.1063/1.3117216 

Digital microfluidics is a popular tool for lab-on-a-chip applications and is typically implemented in one of two formats: single-plate (“open”) devices or two-plate (“closed”) devices. Single-plate devices have some advantages relative to the more common two-plate format such as faster mixing, the capacity to move larger volumes on a given footprint, and easier access to droplets for handling or optical detection. In contrast with the two-plate format, in which ground potential is generally supplied via a top electrode, in the single-plate format, many different geometries of ground wires/electrodes have been used. Until the present study, there has been no metric to determine which of these geometries is best suited for droplet actuation. Here, we present a combination of numerical simulations and experimental tests to compare six different single-plate designs. We applied finite element analysis, using the commercially available COMSOL software package to calculate the electrodynamic actuation forces in each of the different designs and used the results to optimize device design. Forces predicted by the electrodynamic model were in agreement with forces predicted using electromechanical models. More importantly, results were verified experimentally using a unique technique that permits indirect estimation of actuation forces on digital microfluidic devices. This work illustrates the promise of using numerical modeling to enhance the design and performance of digital microfluidic devices.

Published in:
Journal of Applied Physics  (Volume:105 ,  Issue: 9 )

Date of Publication: May 2009

Need Help?


IEEE Advancing Technology for Humanity About IEEE Xplore | Contact | Help | Terms of Use | Nondiscrimination Policy | Site Map | Privacy & Opting Out of Cookies

A not-for-profit organization, IEEE is the world's largest professional association for the advancement of technology.
© Copyright 2013 IEEE - All rights reserved. Use of this web site signifies your agreement to the terms and conditions.