Work

Rapid mixing of sub-microlitre drops by magnetic micro-stirring

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: We demonstrate rapid mixing of sub-microlitre droplets (250 nl) using miniaturized magnetic stir bars (400 μm × 200 μm × 15 μm). The stir bars are fabricated using laser micromachining and placed on the substrate on which the drops are manipulated. They are activated by an externally applied magnetic field and used in combination with on-demand drop merging in enthalpy arrays. This technique results in a 10-fold increase in mixing rate, and a mixing time constant of about 2 s. Drop mixing times are measured by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and verified by thermodynamic measurements of binding and enzymatic reactions.

Source: Lab on a Chip

DOI: 10.1039/c1lc20354a

Authors: Dirk De Bruyker, Michael I. Recht, Ali Asgar S. Bhagat, Francisco E. Torres, Alan G. Bell, Richard H. Bruce

Institutions: Palo Alto Research Center, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Enthalpy arrays for thermodynamic characterization