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PortaDrop: A portable digital microfluidic platform providing versatile opportunities for Lab-On-A-Chip applications
Tom Kremers1, Sarah Thelen1, Nils Bosbach1
1Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Plos One
|September 4, 2020
Summary
This study introduces PortaDrop, a portable digital microfluidic system for automated nanoliter liquid handling. It uniquely combines electrowetting-based fluid control with integrated electrochemical measurements for diverse lab applications.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Electrowetting-on-dielectric technology
- Portable laboratory systems
Background:
- Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) systems, or digital microfluidic systems, offer high flexibility and reconfigurability for various applications.
- The utility of EWOD systems is contingent on their portability and ease of use.
- Existing systems often lack integrated analysis capabilities or user-friendly interfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a portable, stand-alone digital microfluidic system named PortaDrop.
- To create a user-friendly, reconfigurable platform for automated handling and analysis of small liquid volumes.
- To integrate fluid handling with electrochemical measurements for enhanced experimental capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Development of an "all-in-one box" portable system utilizing a Raspberry Pi with a Linux-based operating system.
- Implementation of a user-friendly graphical user interface for simplified operation.
- Integration of electrochemical measurement capabilities and compatibility with external lab equipment via USB and GPIB.
- Demonstration of passive dispensing and media exchange monitored by electrical impedance spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- PortaDrop successfully integrates electrowetting-based fluid manipulation with electrochemical sensing in a portable format.
- The system features an intuitive GUI, simplifying complex microfluidic operations.
- The study demonstrates the first characterization of passive dispensing-induced media exchange using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
- PortaDrop enables standardized documentation of experiments involving nanoliter to picoliter sample volumes.
Conclusions:
- PortaDrop represents a significant advancement in portable microfluidic technology, enhancing accessibility and ease of use.
- The system facilitates the combination of precise fluid handling with integrated analytical techniques.
- PortaDrop is suitable for a wide range of applications requiring automated manipulation and analysis of small fluid volumes.
