| abstract |
A device and method for performing contamination-free droplet manipulation, particularly coalescence, that is reproducible in microchannels or closed microfluidic systems. A microfluidic device includes a microchannel and an electrode assembly. Microchannel 2 has a longitudinal axis X and an internal cross section that is circular. Electrodes 4 are placed around the microchannel 2 and spaced along the axis X by a gap 6. The electrode 4 is connected to the power generation unit 9 by a connecting element 8 including an electric wire. The coalesced droplet enters the gap 6 between the electrodes 4 and moves at a constant speed, and the next droplet approaches the previous droplet by dielectric force to achieve coalescence. [Selection] Figure 1 |