Fast high-performance algorithms for multi-pin droplet routing in digital microfluidic biochips

The use of microfluidics for building biochips is an emerging research area. A key challenge in this area is the droplet routing problem in the design of digital microfluidic biochips. It involves the scheduling of movement of a number of droplets in a time-multiplexed manner to avoid their cross-contamination. This paper attempts to solve this problem for multiple source and target locations with the objectives of minimizing (i) electrode usage, and (ii) latest arrival times. Hierarchical and preferential heuristic algorithms are proposed, and experimental results are observed to be quite encouraging.

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