Ultrafast detection in droplet microfluidics using ion mobility spectrometry

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The project concentrates on the development and evaluation of a fast label-free detection method for droplet-based microfluidics. Therefore, microfluidic droplet chips will be coupled to ion mobility spectrometry for the first time in order to analyze individual droplets in segmented flows at high speed in real time. Central scientific aspects of the project are the conception and instrumental development of an ultrafast drift-tube ion mobility spectrometer synchronized to the droplets for label-free detection and analysis of single droplets in microfluidic chip systems. The objective is to reach high recording rates of ion mobility spectra of at least 300 Hz, which already means a tenfold increase of the recording rate compared to the state of the art in ion mobility spectrometry. A further increase of the measuring frequency will be achieved by modulating the ion gate for short time multiplexing. The research work in the field of ion mobility spectrometry is accompanied by the development of tailored microfluidic droplet chip systems as well as advanced ionization and interface strategies for an efficient coupling with ion mobility spectrometry. The approach of combining droplet microfluidics and ultrafast ion mobility spectrometry for the chemical analysis of individual microdroplets in segmented flows aims at an enabling technology that will significantly increase the range of applications for droplet microfluidics as a promising platform technology for high-throughput applications.