How does droplet microfluidics work?

Droplet-based microfluidics manipulate discrete volumes of fluids in immiscible phases with low Reynolds number and laminar flow regimes. Two immiscible phases used for the droplet based systems are referred to as the continuous phase (medium in which droplets flow) and dispersed phase (the droplet phase).

Why droplet microfluidics?

Droplet-based microfluidic systems have been shown to be compatible with many chemical and biological reagents and capable of performing a variety of operations that can be rendered programmable and reconfigurable.

What are the advantages of microfluidics and its relevant applications?

Flexible application The small size of microfluidic systems allows them to be easily transported, greatly increasing the number of applications they can be used for. Aside from traditional benchtop applications, their portability allows them to be used in point-of-care application as well.

How does digital microfluidics work?

Digital microfluidics harnesses electrowetting to control droplets. Electrical signals are applied to an array of electrodes to define the size and position of each droplet. Droplets are moved by turning the voltage on and off in succession across adjacent electrodes.

What is droplet generation?

Droplet generation in microfluidics refers to the process which relies on immiscible liquids in microfluidic channel networks to generate uniform-sized liquid-liquid droplets.

How droplets are formed microfluidics?

Droplet generation in microfluidics is based on the use of two immiscible fluids, oil and aqueous solutions are mostly used. The droplets are made in devices called microfluidic chips. Different physical aspects are involved in droplet generation depending on the design and material of the microfluidic chip.

Why is PDMS commonly used in bio related research?

PDMS presents many advantages for biological studies. PDMS deformability enables easy connections of leak-proof fluidic connections, integration of fluidic valves through PDMS microchannels and it is used to detect very low forces like biomechanics interactions from cells [4].

What is a microfluidic platform?

A microfluidic platform allows to perform a set of fluidic unit operations that are enabled by a set of fluidic elements, which are designed for easy combination with a well-defined (and low-cost) fabrication technology.

Which of the following is known as digital microfluidics?

Droplet microfluidics, referred to as digital microfluidics, involves the generation and manipulation of discrete volumes of fluids inside microdevices. In contrast to continuous flow devices, droplet microfluidics relies on creating discrete volumes by means of immiscible phases.