Fluid Mixing for Low‐Power ‘Digital Microfluidics’ Using Electroactive Molecular Monolayers

Abstract

A switchable electrode, which relies on an indium-tin oxide conductive substrate coated with a self-assembled monolayer terminated with an anthraquinone group (AQ), is reported as an electrowetting system. AQ electrochemical features confer the capability of yielding a significant modulation of surface wettability as high as 26° when its redox state is switched. Hence, an array of planar electrodes for droplets actuation is fabricated and integrated in a microfluidic device to perform mixing and dispensing on sub-nanoliter scale. Vehiculation of cells across microfluidic compartments is made possible by taking full advantage of surface electrowetting in culture medium.

Exploiting the versatile alkyne-based chemistry for expanding the applications of a stable triphenylmethyl organic radical on surfaces

“…by graing (multi)functional molecular systems, or generating novel interfaces, for example to promote cell-adhesion, (bio)sensing or to inhibit undesired reactions, among others. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The molecular modication of surfaces has also been a determining factor in the emerging eld of molecular (spin)electronic devices. 8 In this context, among the extensive library of functional molecules investigated, optically-, redox-and magnetically-active stable organic radicals are very attractive.…”

P(VDF-TrFE)/PMMA Blended Films with Enhanced Electrowetting Responses and Superior Energy Storage Performance

“…EWOD [1] (electrowetting-on-dielectric) is a versatile technique based on an apparent contact angle modulation controlled by the applied electric field, which has gained attention in micro-scale systems [2,3], including liquid lenses [4,5], optical waveguides [6], lab-on-a-chip devices [7,8], electronic displays [9,10,11], digital microfluidics [12], etc. General EWOD devices consist of an electrode, a conductive aqueous droplet, a dielectric layer with hydrophobic and insulating properties deposited on the electrode, and an external voltage (shown in Figure 1).…”

Stimuli-Responsive Functionalization Strategies to Spatially and Temporally Control Surface Properties: Michael vs Diels–Alder Type Additions

“…On the other hand, SAM S2 presents the highest contact angle, being the most hydrophobic surface, due to the presence of the carbonyl groups. 47 The capability of fine-tuning the surface tension, thus switching from a hydrophobic to hydrophilic surface due to change in the chemical nature of the functional group facing the solution, has been previously reported. 48−50 The Journal of Physical Chemistry B every 20 s of oxidation, SAM S2 was immersed in the target ligand solution for 30 min.…”