PDB-LOCS · Programmable Droplet-based Lab on a Chip Systems

Microfluidic systems offer great benefits in healthcare technologies such as reduction in reagent volume, high sensitivity, cost-efficiency and on-chip integration of multiple analyses. These benefits can be further enhanced using two phase flow microfluidic systems, i.e. microdroplet-based devices. The objective of this proposal is to develop programmable droplet-based lab-on-a-chip systems (PDB-LOCs) for tests/assays requiring high throughput and flexibility. The programmable platform will be a universal lab-on-a-chip device that can be used for multiple biochemical tests requiring different process steps. This will be achieved by routing microdroplets in a microfluidic network using electric field. At every junction at the fluidic network, droplets will be detected by capacitive sensing and will be routed using dielectrophoretic force. This will enable all-electronic detection and routing of microdroplets for programmability, compactness and ease-of-integration. Another goal of the project is to implement the sensing and routing of droplets using electrodes on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and achieve bonding of microfluidics chips on PCBs to have hybrid ""electro-fluidic"" chips. This will facilitate the fabrication and will allow standardization of these lab-on-a-chip devices which will widen the application range of droplet-based systems by making them available to scientists in every field. The read-out and control electronics will be placed on the same PCB and a truly sample-in result-out system will be achieved. This project will narrow the gap between the proof-of-concept microfluidic technologies and commercial devices. Combining the strength of microfluidics with the robustness of electronics, next generation lab-on-a-chip devices will be enabled to boost European competitiveness in the healthcare market.""