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Planar microfluidic drop splitting and merging.

Sean Collignon¹, James Friend, Leslie Yeo

¹Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia. leslie.yeo@rmit.edu.au.

|March 5, 2015

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This study introduces a new method using surface acoustic waves (SAWs) to split open droplet microfluidic droplets. This technique offers precise control over droplet volume, making it a promising alternative for microfluidic applications.

Area of Science:

Microfluidics
Acoustofluidics
Biotechnology

Background:

Open droplet microfluidic platforms offer advantages over closed systems, including lower cost and complexity.
Efficient manipulation of droplets, especially splitting, remains a challenge in these platforms.
Existing methods like electrowetting require device reconfiguration for different droplet sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel method for merging and splitting droplets in open microfluidic systems.
To demonstrate the reliable splitting of droplets into equal or unequal volumes using surface acoustic waves (SAWs).
To present a flexible alternative to existing droplet manipulation techniques.

Main Methods:

Utilized laterally-offset modulated surface acoustic waves (SAWs) for droplet manipulation.

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Applied a two-component energy delivery: initial modulation for rotational flow, followed by a burst to induce stretching.

Investigated the critical Ohnesorge number for successful droplet splitting based on viscous and capillary forces.

Main Results:

Achieved reliable splitting of droplets into two equal volumes with an average deviation of ~4%.
Demonstrated the ability to perform asymmetric splitting, producing droplets of controllable, unequal volumes.
Showcased a method that avoids the need for electrode reconfiguration, unlike electrowetting techniques.

Conclusions:

Laterally-offset modulated SAWs provide an effective and flexible method for droplet splitting in open microfluidics.
The SAW-based technique offers high precision in volume control, comparable to electrowetting methods.
This approach presents a significant advancement for droplet manipulation, enhancing the utility of open microfluidic platforms.