Microfluidic devices containing reversibly pinned droplet samples and methods
US12370550B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/0427
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A microfluidic device comprising: (a) a plate comprising a substrate, a plurality of electrodes, and a first layer of hydrophobic material applied over the plurality of electrodes; (b) a processing unit operably programmed to perform a method of pinning an aqueous droplet within the microfluidic device; and (c) a controller operably connected to a power source, the processing unit, and the plurality of electrodes. The method of pinning an aqueous droplet comprises: applying an electric field of a first polarity to an aqueous droplet located on the surface of the layer of hydrophobic material and having a first contact angle, to cause the droplet to maintain a second contact angle in the absence of the electric field, wherein the aqueous droplet contains a surfactant and the second contact angle is less than the first contact angle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.