Towards an electrowetting-driven microconveyor: an investigation of the load-dependent droplet shape

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the possibilities of using water droplets to support and move a platform, making use of the principle of electrowetting. A new way for making micro-conveyors is thereby developed. The most important element in designing such a micro-conveyor system is the load that it can carry. This paper focuses on the static part, and describes a theoretical model that defines the relationship between the applied load and shape of the supporting droplets. An experimental validation is given, showing good correspondence to the model. Furthermore, experiments regarding an optimal design of the platform are discussed.

Re-engineering artificial muscle with microhydraulics

“…Comparison to electrowetting microconveyors Electrowetting microconveyors 13,14 have the same principles of operation as the actuators described in this work. They also move a solid platform with attached drops on an electrowetting electrode array.…”

“…In this paper, we describe a new type of actuator, inspired by biological muscle and implemented using concepts from microhydraulics 10 , electrowetting motors 11,12 , and electrowetting microconveyors 13,14 . Our microhydraulic stepping actuators (MSAs) work by integrating force contributions from interfacial tensions along the length of a thin ribbon, much like actin filament in muscle integrates individual stress contributions from myosin heads.…”