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US 2021/0231606 A1Published application
Method for degassing liquid droplets by electrical actuation at higher temperatures
AssigneeE Ink Corporation
InventorsTanya GUPTA, Luke M. SLOMINSKI, David ZHITOMIRSKY, Richard J. PAOLINI, JR.
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Abstract
A method for degassing a microfluidic droplet by combining electrowetting and heating to induce formation of gaseous bubbles in the droplet. In an embodiment the methods are carried out on an active matrix of electrowetting electrodes including a hydrophobic coating. A carrier fluid is flowed against the droplet motion propelled by electrowetting to facilitate rapid removal of the gasses departing the droplet.
Claims20
A method for degassing a microfluidic droplet, the method comprising:
- (i) receiving a droplet in a microfluidic region of a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising:
- a bottom plate comprising a plurality of electrodes operatively coupled to a set of switches, and including a bottom hydrophobic layer covering the plurality of electrodes;
- a top plate comprising a top electrode and a top hydrophobic layer covering the top electrode;
- a spacer separating the top and bottom plates and creating a microfluidic region between the top plate and bottom plate;
- a controller operatively coupled to the set of switches and configured to provide an actuation voltage to at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, and
- a heating element configured to provide thermal energy to at least a portion of the microfluidic region;
- and
- (ii) actuating at least one of the plurality of electrodes and directing thermal energy from the heating element to the microfluidic region, to subject the droplet to combined electrowetting and heating, wherein the combined action of electrowetting and heating induces formation of gaseous bubbles in the droplet.
5 more elements
A system for degassing a droplet, comprising:
- (i) a microfluidic device comprising:
- a bottom plate comprising a plurality of electrodes operatively coupled to a set of switches, and including a bottom hydrophobic layer covering the plurality of electrodes;
- a top plate comprising a top electrode and a top hydrophobic layer covering the top electrode;
- a spacer separating the top and bottom plates and creating a microfluidic region between the top plate and bottom plate;
- a controller operatively coupled to the set of switches and configured to provide an actuation voltage to at least a portion of the first plurality of electrodes, and
- a heating element configured to provide thermal energy to at least a portion of the microfluidic region;
- and
- (ii) a processor operably programmed to subject the droplet to a degassing method, the method comprising:
- actuating at least one of the plurality of electrodes and directing thermal energy from the heating element to the microfluidic region, to subject the droplet to combined electrowetting and heating, wherein the combined action of electrowetting and heating induces formation of gaseous bubbles in the droplet.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.