Microfluidics on Stretchable Strings

Abstract

This paper introduces string microfluidics (SM), which consists of stretchable strings trapping discrete microdroplets within a porous matrix, and the realization of elementary microfluidic operations such as droplet formation, transport, splitting, merging, and mixing by moving and stretching the strings. While performing these operations, SM was shown to be compatible with colorimetric biological assays. SM represents a new form of microfluidics that integrates the concepts of thread microfluidics and digital microfluidics, along with mobile or reconfigurable microfluidics where liquid transport is realized by manipulating the substrate.