Tunable Wetting on Smart Polymer for Ultra-Low Voltage Digital Microfluidics

目的：研究一种智能聚合物--十二烷基苯磺酸掺杂聚吡咯(PPy(DBS))在超低电压(~1.5V)下操纵液滴的可调润湿机理。智能优点：这项研究将解决智能聚合物表面润湿机理的基本原理，这些原理对于微流体应用来说还没有被很好地理解。特别是，这项实验研究将提供深入的见解，在多大程度上促进Marangoni应力对整体液滴行为的影响，有助于更好地了解表面润湿和液滴操纵之间的相互关系。此外，该项目将使芯片实验室设备的开发成为可能，这种设备可以双向传输液滴，但电压比现有技术低几个数量级。更广泛的影响：对这种可调湿概念的成功研究将影响广泛的微流体应用，包括芯片上样品的制备和处理，以及由于低电压操作而操作复杂生物流体的芯片上实验室设备。特别是，它将增强数字微流控设备的便携性和现场操作，因为该系统可以使用标准电池进行操作。此外，这项研究将作为教育倡议的基础，特别强调招收和指导来自代表性不足的少数族裔的学生，同时与妇女工程方案和倡导者网络、全国工程少数群体行动委员会、研究生教育联盟和教授联盟等组织建立机构联系。此外，该计划将与史蒂文斯科学和工程教育创新中心合作，将这一努力扩展到K-12外展努力。

Objective: The objective of this project is to investigate a tunable wetting mechanism on a smart polymer - dodecylbenzenesulfonate-doped polypyrrole (PPy(DBS)) - for manipulating liquid droplets at ultra-low-voltages (~1.5V). Intellectual Merit: This research will address fundamentals of wetting mechanism on a smart polymer surface, which are not well understood for microfluidic applications. In particular, this experimental study will provide insights to what extent Marangoni stress contributes to the overall droplet behavior, facilitating better understanding of inter-relationship between surface wetting and droplet manipulation. Further, this project will enable the development of lab-on-a-chip devices which can bi-directionally transport liquid droplets, but at orders of magnitude lower voltages than existing techniques. Broader Impact: Successful research on this tunable wetting concept will impact a wide range of microfluidics applications including on-chip sample preparation and handling, and lab-on-a-chip devices manipulating complex biological fluids, attributed to the low-voltage operation. In particular, it will enhance portability and in-field operation of digital microfluidic devices, since the system can be operated using standard batteries. In addition, this research will serve as the basis for educational initiatives with a special emphasis on recruiting and mentoring students from under-represented minorities, while forging institutional affiliations with organizations such as the Women in Engineering Program and Advocates Network, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, and Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate. Furthermore, the program will work with the Center for Innovation in Science and Engineering Education at Stevens to extend this effort to K-12 outreach endeavors.