Tunable Wetting on Smart Polymer for Ultra-Low Voltage Digital Microfluidics

用于超低压数字微流体的智能聚合物的可调润湿

• 批准号: 1202269
• 负责人: Eui-Hyeok Yang
• 金额: $ 36万
• 依托单位: Stevens Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-06-01 至 2016-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1202269&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Tunable; Wetting; Smart; Polymer; Ultra

Objective: The objective of this project is to investigate a tunable wetting mechanism on a smart polymer - dodecylbenzenesulfonate-doped polypyrrole (PPy(DBS)) - for manipulating liquid droplets at ultra-low-voltages (~1.5V). Intellectual Merit: This research will address fundamentals of wetting mechanism on a smart polymer surface, which are not well understood for microfluidic applications. In particular, this experimental study will provide insights to what extent Marangoni stress contributes to the overall droplet behavior, facilitating better understanding of inter-relationship between surface wetting and droplet manipulation. Further, this project will enable the development of lab-on-a-chip devices which can bi-directionally transport liquid droplets, but at orders of magnitude lower voltages than existing techniques. Broader Impact: Successful research on this tunable wetting concept will impact a wide range of microfluidics applications including on-chip sample preparation and handling, and lab-on-a-chip devices manipulating complex biological fluids, attributed to the low-voltage operation. In particular, it will enhance portability and in-field operation of digital microfluidic devices, since the system can be operated using standard batteries. In addition, this research will serve as the basis for educational initiatives with a special emphasis on recruiting and mentoring students from under-represented minorities, while forging institutional affiliations with organizations such as the Women in Engineering Program and Advocates Network, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, and Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate. Furthermore, the program will work with the Center for Innovation in Science and Engineering Education at Stevens to extend this effort to K-12 outreach endeavors.

目的：该项目的目的是研究智能聚合物的可调润湿机制 - 十二烷基苯甲酸苯甲酸苯甲酸酯掺杂的多吡咯（PPY（dbs）） - 用于在超低电量（〜1.5V）上操纵液滴（〜1.5V）。智力优点：这项研究将介绍智能聚合物表面上润湿机制的基本面，对于微流体应用而言尚未很好地理解。特别是，这项实验研究将提供洞察力在多大程度上有助于整体液滴行为，从而有助于更好地理解表面润湿和液滴操纵之间的相互关系。此外，该项目将使实验室芯片设备的开发能够双向运输液滴，但比现有技术低的电压低。更广泛的影响：对这种可调式润湿概念的成功研究将影响广泛的微流体应用，包括芯片样品制备和处理，以及操纵复杂生物流体的实验室芯片设备，归因于低电量操作。特别是，它将增强数字微流体设备的可移植性和现场操作，因为该系统可以使用标准电池进行操作。此外，这项研究将作为教育计划的基础，特别强调来自代表性不足的少数群体的招募和指导学生，同时与工程计划中的妇女妇女（例如工程网络中的妇女，国家工程少数群体的工程教育教育和教授和教授和联盟）建立机构隶属关系。此外，该计划将与史蒂文斯的科学与工程教育创新中心合作，将这项工作扩展到K-12外展活动。