Active control for droplet-based microfluidics

Teck Hui Ting; Yit Fatt Yap; Nam-Trung Nguyen; Teck Neng Wong; John Chee Kiong Chai; Levent Yobas

doi:10.1117/12.696496

14 December 2006 Active control for droplet-based microfluidics

Teck Hui Ting, Yit Fatt Yap, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Teck Neng Wong, John Chee Kiong Chai, Levent Yobas

Proceedings Volume 6416, Biomedical Applications of Micro- and Nanoengineering III; 64160E (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.696496
Event: SPIE Smart Materials, Nano- and Micro-Smart Systems, 2006, Adelaide, Australia

Abstract

Active control of microdroplets in microchannels is an important task in droplet-based microfluidics. The break- up process of droplets at an T-junction is usually controlled passively by the fluidic resistance of the branches. We used thermal control to actively manipulate aqueous droplets in microchannels. The temperature affects both viscosity and interfacial tension between the phases. The concept was first simulated with a two-dimensional model. The simulation results show that increasing temperature at a branch can change the size ratio of the two daughter droplets from 0 to 1. That means, droplet switching is possible with this concept. Control of droplet size during the formation process and splitting process was demonstrated experimentally by varying the temperature of the branches. At a critical temperature, droplet switching can be achieved. The used control temperature of less than 40°C shows that this active control concept is suitable for biochemical applications. Thermal control promises to be a simple and effective manipulation method for droplet-based lab on a chip.

Citation Download Citation

Teck Hui Ting, Yit Fatt Yap, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Teck Neng Wong, John Chee Kiong Chai, and Levent Yobas "Active control for droplet-based microfluidics", Proc. SPIE 6416, Biomedical Applications of Micro- and Nanoengineering III, 64160E (14 December 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.696496

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available