High-throughput sorting of drops in microfluidic chips using electric capacitance

Biomicrofluidics
Arjen M PitFrieder Mugele

Abstract

We analyze a recently introduced approach for the sorting of aqueous drops with biological content immersed in oil, using a microfluidic chip that combines the functionality of electrowetting with the high throughput of two-phase flow microfluidics. In this electrostatic sorter, three co-planar electrodes covered by a thin dielectric layer are placed directly below the fluidic channel. Switching the potential of the central electrode creates an electrical guide that leads the drop to the desired outlet. The generated force, which deflects the drop, can be tuned via the voltage. The working principle is based on a contrast in conductivity between the drop and the continuous phase, which ensures successful operation even for drops of highly conductive biological media like phosphate buffered saline. Moreover, since the electric field does not penetrate the drop, its content is protected from electrical currents and Joule heating. A simple capacitive model allows quantitative prediction of the electrostatic forces exerted on drops. The maximum achievable sorting rate is determined by a competition between electrostatic and hydrodynamic forces. Sorting speeds up to 1200 per second are demonstrated for conductive drops of 160 pl in ...Continue Reading

References

Dec 13, 2006·Physical Review Letters·Adrian Staicu, Frieder Mugele
Aug 26, 2009·Lab on a Chip·Thomas FrankeAchim Wixforth
Aug 26, 2009·Lab on a Chip·Adam R AbateDavid A Weitz
Jun 24, 2010·Angewandte Chemie·Ashleigh B ThebergeWilhelm T S Huck
Dec 1, 1998·Analytical Chemistry·D C DuffyG M Whitesides
Jul 21, 2011·Biomicrofluidics·Byungwook AhnKwang W Oh
Oct 21, 2011·Lab on a Chip·Jean-Christophe Baret
Dec 1, 2011·Electrophoresis·Jinwen ZhouNicolas H Voelcker
Feb 22, 2012·Lab on a Chip·Ashleigh B ThebergeAndrew D Griffiths
Jul 26, 2013·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Dieter 't MannetjeFrieder Mugele
Jan 8, 2014·Lab on a Chip·Riëlle de RuiterFrieder Mugele
Apr 12, 2014·Nature Communications·Dieter 't MannetjeFrieder Mugele

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 16, 2017·Lab on a Chip·Heng-Dong XiSay Hwa Tan
Jul 25, 2019·Chemical Communications : Chem Comm·Akkapol Suea-NgamAndrew J deMello
May 26, 2017·Chemical Reviews·Luoran ShangYuanjin Zhao

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.