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Digital microfluidics: A promising technique for biochemical applications

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Abstract

Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a versatile microfluidics technology that has significant application potential in the areas of automation and miniaturization. In DMF, discrete droplets containing samples and reagents are controlled to implement a series of operations via electrowetting-on-dielectric. This process works by applying electrical potentials to an array of electrodes coated with a hydrophobic dielectric layer. Unlike microchannels, DMF facilitates precise control over multiple reaction processes without using complex pump, microvalve, and tubing networks. DMF also presents other distinct features, such as portability, less sample consumption, shorter chemical reaction time, flexibility, and easier combination with other technology types. Due to its unique advantages, DMF has been applied to a broad range of fields (e.g., chemistry, biology, medicine, and environment). This study reviews the basic principles of droplet actuation, configuration design, and fabrication of the DMF device, as well as discusses the latest progress in DMF from the biochemistry perspective.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (Grant No. 20133201110009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robotics and Microsystems Center, Soochow University, Soochow, 215006, China

    He Wang, Liguo Chen & Lining Sun

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Henan University of Engineering, Zhengzhou, 451191, China

    He Wang

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  1. He Wang
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  2. Liguo Chen
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  3. Lining Sun
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Correspondence to Liguo Chen.

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Wang, H., Chen, L. & Sun, L. Digital microfluidics: A promising technique for biochemical applications. Front. Mech. Eng. 12, 510–525 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-017-0460-z

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