A consumable microfluidic receptacle includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet is electrically connectable to a ground element. The second sheet is spaced apart from the first plate, wherein the microfluidic receptacle is to receive a liquid droplet between the first and second sheets. The second sheet includes an exterior surface portion to receive releasable contact from an array of individually controllable electrodes of an electrode control element to produce an electric field from the second sheet to the first sheet to selectively pull the liquid droplet through the microfluidic receptacle. The second sheet comprises a conductive-resistant matrix and a plurality of conductive paths spaced apart throughout the matrix and oriented perpendicular to a plane through which second sheet extends.

Described herein are cartridges and devices for operating said cartridges for analyzing a biological sample, such as a blood or saliva sample. Also described herein is an impedance sensor for analyzing a biological sample. Further described herein are methods of determining a cell count or detecting an analyte in a biological sample, which can include transporting the biological sample through a sensor comprising a channel or pore; applying an electrical current or voltage to the channel or pore; detecting an impedance within the channel or pore; and determining a cell count or detecting the analyte based on the detected impedance. Also described herein is an electrowetting electrode array that is configured to transport aqueous solutions using low voltage, such as about 50 volts or less. Further described herein are methods of transporting an aqueous liquid using electrowetting electrodes.

A microfluidic apparatus, and its drive circuit and drive method are provided in the present disclosure. The drive circuit includes at least one switch unit, where the switch unit includes a first signal input terminal, a signal output terminal, first and second control signal terminals, a signal terminal, a first module, a second module, and a third module. The first module is electrically connected to the first signal input terminal, the signal output terminal and the second module; and the second module is electrically connected to the first control signal terminal. The first control signal terminal is configured to control the first module and the second module to be in conduction or disconnection, and the second control signal terminal is configured to control the third module to in conduction or disconnection, thereby controlling the signal output terminal to output a first or second signal.

The invention provided herein relates to methods for protein synthesis, characterisation and purification on a digital microfluidic device.

Provided are an active matrix substrate having a reduced driving voltage and excellent adhesion between a dielectric layer and a water-repellent layer and a microfluidic device including the substrate. The active matrix substrate includes an array electrode, a dielectric layer covering the array electrode, and a first water-repellent layer in this order on a first substrate. The dielectric layer includes a silicon nitride film located on the side in contact with the first water-repellent layer, and the silicon nitride film has a surface layer region containing oxygen in the surface on the side in contact with the first water-repellent layer.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a control-engaged electrode-driving method for droplet actuation is provided. The method includes, a first voltage is provided to a first electrode for licking off a droplet. A second voltage is naturally discharged to a third voltage for maintaining a droplet movement. A fourth voltage is provided to the first electrode for accelerating the droplet. Naturally discharging from the second voltage to the third voltage and providing the fourth voltage to the first electrode are repeated. The first voltage is provided to a second electrode when a centroid of the droplet reaching a centroid of the first electrode. Naturally discharging from the second voltage to the third voltage and providing the fourth voltage to the second electrode are repeated.

A method and system for performing biomolecule extraction are provided that use liquid-to-liquid extraction (LLE) in combination with an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device to provide a biomolecule extraction solution that has high extraction efficiency and that is less costly and easier to use than current state of the art methods and systems. The system and method are well suited for, but not limited to, extraction of DNA, RNA and protein molecules.

Devices and systems are provided in which one or more electrochemical sensors are integrated within a digital microfluidic device. According to one example embodiment, a two-electrode electrochemical sensor is integrated into a top or bottom plate of a digital microfluidic device, where the counter electrode is provided within a defined spatial region, and where the working electrode is formed such that it is spatially distributed within the spatial region associated with the counter electrode. The working electrode may be provided as one or more elongate segments that are spatially distributed within, and/or surround a perimeter of, the counter electrode. The area of the working electrode may be selected to be smaller than that of the counter electrode in order to improve the performance of the electrochemical sensor.

An electrowetting display device includes a first support plate and a second support plate. A first fluid and a second fluid that is immiscible with the first fluid are between the first support plate and the second support plate. A plurality of pixel walls having concave side surfaces are formed on the first support plate to define a plurality of electrowetting pixels. A pixel electrode is disposed on the first support plate for applying a voltage within each electrowetting pixel to cause relative displacement of the first fluid and the second fluid.

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for sorting a particle based on a characteristic of a particle.