Cybermanufacturing: Cloud-Based Incubation Ecosystem for EWOD Digital Microfluidics

电介质润湿(EWOD)是一种只需电信号就能物理处理液体的机制，例如将液体数字化成微小的液滴并在芯片上操作，从而实现“数字微流控”。作为一种没有泵或阀门的优雅简单的平台，EWOD数字微流控在过去15年中一直吸引着高度的研究兴趣，最近已过渡到显示器和生物化学领域的几种商业产品。然而，使用这项技术的实验室数量仍然很少，可能是因为很难将设计意图转化为制造的设备。该项目将进行基础研究，以使基于云的EWOD制造系统能够执行该转换。由此产生的网络制造生态系统将被广泛的用户访问，使研究人员、企业家、学生和业余爱好者都可以专注于自己的想法和应用，而不必掌握EWOD工程和制造的微妙之处。这可以被认为是EWOD微流控的一种“操作系统”，类似于使没有计算机硬件背景的人能够使用个人计算机的计算机操作系统。这一网络制造系统预计将对EWOD数字微流控领域产生类似的影响。该项目包括将研究成果纳入课程，接触本科生和高中生并参与其中，以及与一家成熟的芯片铸造厂和一位杰出的生物化学家合作。这项研究将把EWOD研究中的知识纳入基于云的设计和制造框架中。如果制造是透明的，各种学科和水平的人都可以利用EWOD数字微流控技术。设计/可制造性引擎将允许用户在与EWOD兼容的逐步设计协议中表达他们的特定意图，然后该协议将被转换为经过验证的可制造EWOD芯片布局。当下订单时，设计文件将被发送到芯片制造代工厂。根据设计系统和社区经验的建议，用户还可以订购EWOD控制模块和辅助模块(例如，程序加热、磁珠)。将通过在线图形用户界面提供网关，允许用户远程操作多个模块和系统，大大扩展能力并促进协作。该系统架构将确保用户和供应商自下而上的有机增长，以及EWOD数字微流体的设计、制造和应用方面的知识。

Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) is a mechanism that allows physical handling of liquids with only electrical signals, such as digitizing a liquid into tiny droplets and manipulating them on a chip, thus enabling "digital microfluidics." As an elegantly simple platform free of pumps or valves, EWOD digital microfluidics has been attracting high research interest in the past 15 years and has recently been transitioned to a few commercial products in displays and biochemistry. However, the number of labs utilizing the technology is still small, likely due to the difficulty in translating design intent to manufactured devices. The project will perform fundamental research to enable a cloud-based EWOD manufacturing system to perform that translation. The resulting cybermanufacturing ecosystem will be accessible to a wide range of users, allowing researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and hobbyists alike to focus on their own ideas and applications without having to master the subtleties of EWOD engineering and manufacturing. This may be thought of as an "operating system" for EWOD microfluidics, similar to the computer operating systems that enabled people with no computer hardware background to use personal computers. This cybermanufacturing system is envisioned to have a similar impact on the field of EWOD digital microfluidics. The project includes incorporation of research results in coursework, outreach to and involvement of undergraduate and high school students, and collaborations with an established chip foundry and a distinguished biochemist. The research will incorporate knowledge from EWOD research in a framework of cloud-based design and manufacturing. If manufacturing is transparent, people of a wide range of disciplines and levels can take advantage of EWOD digital microfluidics. A design/manufacturability engine will allow users to express their specific intention in a step-by-step EWOD-compatible design protocol, which then will be converted to a verified manufacturable EWOD chip layout. When an order is placed, the design file will be sent to a chip fabrication foundry. The user may also order an EWOD control module and ancillary modules (e.g., programmed heating, magnetic beads), advised by the design system and community experience. A gateway will be made available through online graphical user interface that allows the user to operate multiple modules and systems remotely, greatly expanding the capability and promoting collaborations. The system architecture will ensure bottom-up, organic growth of users and providers as well as the knowledge in design, manufacturing, and application of EWOD digital microfluidics.