Microdroplet manipulation device
Inventors
Isaac, Thomas Henry • Cunha, Pedro • SHERIDAN, Eoin • Love, David • Palmer, Rebecca • Kelly, Douglas J. • PODD, Gareth
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12017224-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for manipulating many thousands of microdroplets simultaneously using optically-mediated electrowetting. The device includes a first composite wall and a second composite wall, each having a substrate, a transparent conductor layer, a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm, a dielectric layer on the photoactive layer, and an anti-fouling layer on the dielectric layer. An A/C source provides a voltage of between 10 V and 50 V across the first and second composite walls while remaining below dielectric breakdown of the first and second dielectric layers.
The device further includes at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of a photoexcitable layer, where the radiation impinges on the photoactive layer to induce corresponding ephemeral electrowetting locations on the surface of the first dielectric layer. A microprocessor manipulates points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer to vary the disposition of the ephemeral electrowetting locations, thereby creating at least one electrowetting pathway along which microdroplets may be caused to move. The pathways created by reconfiguring the illumination allow simultaneous manipulation of many droplets.
The device is configured to performing chemical analyses carried out on multiple analytes simultaneously and includes an upstream zone in which a medium comprised of an emulsion of aqueous microdroplets in an immiscible carrier fluid is generated and thereafter introduced into the microfluidic space on the upstream side of the device. One or more spacers hold the first and second walls apart by a determined amount to define a microfluidic space adapted to contain the microdroplets, where the spacer comprises a bead, a pillar or a ridge. The description also indicates optional fluorescence stimulation and photodetection for chemical analysis, and the creation of electrowetting pathways that may include coalescence pathways.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001 and includes 5 inventive features centered on optically-mediated electrowetting and simultaneous chemical analyses of multiple analytes. Dependent claims clm-00002 through clm-00008 further address inlet structure, droplet-to-space constraints, fluorescence stimulation/detection, and physical form factors.
Optically-mediated electrowetting microfluidic device with composite walls
A device for manipulating many thousands microdroplets simultaneously using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising first and second composite walls with respective transparent conductor layers, photoactive layers activated by electromagnetic radiation in 400-1000 nm, dielectric layers, and anti-fouling layers; and an A/C source providing 10 V to 50 V across the first and second composite walls below the dielectric breakdown voltage of the first and second dielectric layers.
Ephemeral electrowetting locations induced by bandgap-energy radiation
At least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of a photoexcitable layer impinges on the photoactive layer to induce corresponding ephemeral electrowetting locations on the surface of the first dielectric layer.
Microprocessor-controlled radiation impingement to form electrowetting pathways
A microprocessor manipulates points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer to vary the disposition of the ephemeral electrowetting locations thereby creating at least one electrowetting pathway along which microdroplets may be caused to move.
Simultaneous chemical analyses on multiple analytes with upstream emulsion delivery
The device is configured to performing chemical analyses carried out on multiple analytes simultaneously and further comprises an upstream zone in which a medium comprised of an emulsion of aqueous microdroplets in an immiscible carrier fluid is generated and thereafter introduced into the microfluidic space on the upstream side of the device.
Spacers defining the microfluidic space between walls
One or more spacers hold the first and second walls apart by a determined amount to define a microfluidic space adapted to contain microdroplets, where the spacer comprises a bead, a pillar or a ridge.
Claim coverage centers on clm-00001’s combination of composite-wall optically mediated electrowetting, ephemeral electrowetting locations induced by radiation above bandgap energy, and microprocessor-controlled creation of reconfigurable electrowetting pathways for moving many thousands of microdroplets, while being configured for simultaneous chemical analyses of multiple analytes using an upstream emulsion of aqueous microdroplets in an immiscible carrier fluid.
Stated Advantages
Manipulates many thousands of microdroplets simultaneously using optically-mediated electrowetting.
Creates at least one electrowetting pathway along which microdroplets may be caused to move.
Performs chemical analyses carried out on multiple analytes simultaneously.
Documented Applications
Chemical analyses carried out on multiple analytes simultaneously using manipulated microdroplets in the microfluidic space.
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