Electro-Coalescence of Digitally Controlled Droplets

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• 作者：Xize Niu ; Fabrice Gielen ; Andrew J. deMello ; Joshua B. Edel
• 刊名：Analytical Chemistry
• 出版年：2009
• 出版时间：September 1, 2009
• 年：2009
• 卷：81
• 期：17
• 页码：7321-7325
• 全文大小：257K
• 年卷期：v.81,no.17(September 1, 2009)
• ISSN：1520-6882

文摘

In this paper we describe a universal mechanism for merging multiple aqueous microdroplets within a flowing stream consisting of an oil carrier phase. Our approach involves the use of both a pillar array acting as a passive merging element, as well as built-in electrodes acting as an active merging element. The pillar array enables slowing down and trapping of the droplets via the drainage of the oil phase. This brings adjacent droplets into close proximity. At this point, an electric field applied to the electrodes breaks up the thin oil film surrounding the droplets resulting in merging.