Droplet position estimator for open EWOD system using open source computer vision

Abstract

Digital microfluidics (DMF) emerged as a popular technology for lab on chip (LOC) application, which allows full and independent control over droplets on an array of electrodes. In this work, we have demonstrated a low-cost open electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) based system, which is capable of tracking droplet position on the single substrate in real time. Printed circuit board (PCB) technology has been used for fabrication of two dimentional open EWOD device. Bio- compatible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used as a dielectric as well as a hydrophobic layer. The controlled droplet transport is successfully done on the fabricated device. The detection of droplet position is successfully demonstrated using open source computer vision image processing tool. This work illustrates the promise of open two- dimensional EWOD device for digital microfluidics application.