A digital microfluidic platform based on a near-infrared light-responsive shape-memory micropillar array. Issue 6 (3rd February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ye, Wen-Qi; Wei, Yun-Yun; Wang, Dan-Ni; Yang, Chun-Guang; Xu, Zhang-Run
• Is Part Of: Lab on a chip. Volume 21:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 1131
• Page End: 1138
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03
• Subjects: Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Combinatorial chemistry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 543.0813
• DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01324b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0197

Abstract

Abstract : Droplet manipulation on a near-infrared light-responsive shape-memory micropillar array. Abstract : In this work, we developed a digital microfluidic platform based on a shape memory micropillar array responsive to near-infrared light, and the droplets were programmatically manipulated through light-induced micropillar deformation. The micropillar array was constructed on the surface of a poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer, a shape memory polymer sensitive to near-infrared light. Before droplet manipulation, the micropillar array was kept temporarily tilted by heating and pressing. Under the irradiation of a near-infrared laser, the micropillar array achieved the transition from the temporary shape to the original shape. Temperature gradient and micropillar deformation caused by near-infrared light irradiation produce the driving force for droplet movement. The movement of the laser mounted on an electronically controlled displacement platform was controlled by a computer to achieve the programmed control of the droplets. Moreover, we demonstrated light-manipulated droplet movement and fusion, and achieved ascorbic acid detection using this digital microfluidic platform. In particular, the micropillar array chip is able to manipulate droplets in a wide range of 0.1 μL to 10 μL. The proposed digital microfluidic platform will broaden the application of digital microfluidic technology in analytical chemistry and biomedicine.