Capacitance Detection in a Droplet Actuator
AssigneeAdvanced Liquid Logic, Inc.
InventorsMichael G. Pollack, Ryan A. Sturmer, Philip Y. Paik, Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan
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Abstract
The embodiments described herein provide methods of measuring capacitance, detecting a droplet at a position, determining a thickness of an oil film and determining temperature in a droplet actuator. Specifically, the capacitance detection method may be used as a real-time verification tool in order to detect the absence, presence, and/or partial presence of a droplet at an electrode, analyze droplet properties, measure droplet size or volume, optimize the speed of droplet operation and detect air bubbles.
Claims25
A method of measuring capacitance at a position within a droplet actuator, the method comprising applying a base oscillation frequency at the position and detecting a deviation from the base oscillation frequency.
A method of detecting a droplet at a position within a droplet actuator, the method comprising detecting charge and/or discharge from a droplet at the position.
A method of determining a thickness of an oil film in a droplet actuator, the method comprising:
- (a) measuring capacitance across a droplet actuator gap filled with an oil filler fluid, wherein the measuring is conducted at a known droplet position;
- and
- (b) correlating the measurement with oil thickness.
A method of determining temperature in a droplet actuator, the method comprising:
- (a) measuring capacitance across a droplet actuator gap comprising a known filler fluid and a droplet of known content;
- and
- (b) correlating the measurement with temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.