A Programmable Dielectrophoretic Fluid Processor for Droplet-Based Chemistry

We demonstrate the use of dielectrophoresis (DEP) in a programmable microsystem to drive the formation and handling of small (10 to 1000 nL) droplets of sample and reagent on a channel-less, planar reaction surface. DEP-controlled metering and mixing of reagent droplets is shown in a proof-of-principle protein concentration assay. The electronically reconfigurable droplet processor described here is expected to provide functionality for many chemical, biological, and diagnostic applications.