Democratizing digital microfluidics by a cloud-based design and manufacturing platform

Akin to the impact that digital microelectronics had on electronic devices for information technology, digital microfluidics (DMF) was anticipated to transform fluidic devices for lab-on-a-chip (LoC) applications. However, despite a wealth of research and publications, electrowetting-on-dielectric (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lab on a chip 2024-09, Vol.24 (19), p.4536-4548
Main Authors: Wang, Qining Leo, Cho, Eric Hyunsung, Li, Jia, Huang, Hsin-Chuan, Kin, Sarath, Piao, Yuhao, Xu, Lin, Tang, Kenneth, Kuiry, Shounak, He, Zifan, Yu, Danning, Cheng, Brian, Wu, Chang-Chi, Choi, Connor, Shin, Kwanwoo, Ho, Tsung-Yi, Kim, Chang-Jin "CJ"
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cloud computing
Commercialization
Control systems design
Design standards
Manufacturing
Microfluidics
Plant layout
Workflow
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Summary:Akin to the impact that digital microelectronics had on electronic devices for information technology, digital microfluidics (DMF) was anticipated to transform fluidic devices for lab-on-a-chip (LoC) applications. However, despite a wealth of research and publications, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) DMF has not achieved the anticipated wide adoption, and commercialization has been painfully slow. By identifying the technological and resource hurdles in developing DMF chip and control systems as the culprit, we envision democratizing DMF by building a standardized design and manufacturing platform. To achieve this vision, we introduce a proof-of-concept cloud platform that empowers any user to design, obtain, and operate DMF chips ( https://edroplets.org ). For chip design, we establish a web-based EWOD chip design platform with layout rules and automated wire routing. For chip manufacturing, we build a web-based EWOD chip manufacturing platform and fabricate four types of EWOD chips ( i.e. , glass, paper, PCB, and TFT) to demonstrate the foundry service workflow. For chip control, we introduce a compact EWOD control system along with web-based operating software. Although industrial fabrication services are beyond the scope of this work, we hope this perspective will inspire academic and commercial stakeholders to join the initiative toward a DMF ecosystem for the masses. A cloud-based design and manufacturing platform for EWOD DMF.
ISSN:1473-0197
1473-0189
1473-0189
DOI:10.1039/d4lc00495g