On-Demand Production of Emulsion Droplets Using Magnetically Driven Microtool

Abstract

We propose a hybrid polymer-metal magnetically driven microtool (MMT) featuring elasticity and rigidity. An electroplated magnetic metal axle is installed directly at the center of the MMT during molding. The result is a hybrid MMT whose fixed axes move elastically in a specific direction and whose center axle is rigid, preventing bending by unwanted external force. The axle’s higher magnetism contributes to powerful actuation. The hybrid MMT we designed provides on-demand droplet dispensation on chips. Its parallel plate is constrained translationally. Hybrid MMT displacement is 300 µm – 6 times greater than that of the conventional MMT. On-demand droplet generation produces a 177.7 ±2.3 µm droplet.