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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

Published on: October 1, 2007

A world-to-chip interface for digital microfluidics.

Hao Yang¹, Vivienne N Luk, Mohamed Abelgawad

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6.

Analytical Chemistry

|January 1, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Digital microfluidics (DMF) overcomes contamination and interface challenges using a novel plastic "skin." This innovation enhances reagent handling for broader biochemical applications.

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Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

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Generation of a Simplified Three-Dimensional Skin-on-a-chip Model in a Micromachined Microfluidic Platform

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Published on: May 17, 2021

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

Published on: March 5, 2015

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Microfluidics Engineering

Background:

Digital microfluidics (DMF) enables droplet manipulation on electrode arrays, showing promise for screening applications.
Key limitations of DMF include nonspecific reagent adsorption causing cross-contamination and difficulties with the "world-to-chip" interface for sample delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel strategy for digital microfluidics that addresses cross-contamination and world-to-chip interface issues.
To demonstrate the utility of this new DMF approach for biochemical applications.

Main Methods:

Development of a removable plastic "skin" for digital microfluidic devices.
Implementation of on-chip protein digestion using immobilized enzyme depots on the modified DMF platform.

Main Results:

The plastic skin effectively eliminated cross-contamination between reagents.
The skin successfully bridged the world-to-chip interface, simplifying reagent and sample delivery.
On-chip protein digestion was successfully demonstrated, validating the system's utility.

Conclusions:

The new plastic skin strategy significantly enhances the practicality and applicability of digital microfluidics.
This innovation has the potential to transition DMF from a niche technology to a widely adopted tool for biochemical assays.