Laser-induced graphene-based digital microfluidics (gDMF): a versatile platform with sub-one-dollar cost
1Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, College of Control Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310023, China. zhtao@zju.edu.cn.
Lab on a Chip
|May 21, 2024
Summary
A novel laser-induced graphene digital microfluidics (gDMF) chip offers a low-cost, rapid fabrication method for point-of-care testing. This versatile platform achieves comparable performance to conventional devices, enabling diverse biological applications.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip Technology
- Materials Science (Laser-Induced Graphene)
- Biomedical Engineering and Diagnostics
Background:
- Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a promising liquid-handling technology for biological and biomedical applications.
- Conventional DMF chip fabrication is complex, time-consuming, and expensive, hindering widespread adoption, especially in point-of-care testing (POCT).
- Existing paper- or film-based DMF devices are inexpensive but limited by planar addressing and low electrode density.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, easily fabricated, and low-cost digital microfluidics chip.
- To address the limitations of conventional DMF fabrication and planar addressing structures.
- To demonstrate the potential of this new platform for point-of-care testing applications.
Main Methods:
- Development of a laser-induced graphene (LIG) based digital microfluidics (gDMF) chip.
- Fabrication using a computer-controlled laser scribing process within 10 minutes under ambient conditions.
- Achieved both planar addressing DMF (pgDMF) and vertical addressing DMF (vgDMF) configurations.
Main Results:
- The gDMF chip fabrication is rapid (<10 min), cost-effective (<$1), and does not require cleanroom techniques.
- Vertical addressing DMF (vgDMF) allows for potentially higher electrode density compared to planar designs.
- Both pgDMF and vgDMF demonstrated performance comparable to conventional DMF devices, validated by a colorimetric assay.
Conclusions:
- The proposed laser-induced graphene digital microfluidics (gDMF) chip offers a simple, inexpensive, and versatile alternative for microfluidic applications.
- The ease of fabrication and low cost make gDMF a suitable platform for point-of-care testing (POCT).
- The ability to modify electrode patterns opens possibilities for diverse and customized microfluidic device designs.
