Droplet mixer based on electrowetting

Abstract

The manipulation of droplets on the microscale is a growing area of research for Lab-on-a-chip applications. The droplet represents a controlled reproducible volume for studying fast chemical reactions and performing parallel studies. One technique for manipulating droplets on a surface is electrowetting: a technique which uses applied electrical potentials to exert stress on the droplet and to produce deformation or movement. This paper presents a new design of an electrowetting based mixer intended to demonstrate a method for rapidly bringing together two droplets and mixing them. Preliminary measurements of mixing are also presented. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.