Login | Register

Droplet actuation on various electrode shapes in electrowetting-based microfluidics

Title:

Droplet actuation on various electrode shapes in electrowetting-based microfluidics

Rajabi, Negar (2009) Droplet actuation on various electrode shapes in electrowetting-based microfluidics. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

[thumbnail of MR67154.pdf]
Preview
Text (application/pdf)
MR67154.pdf - Accepted Version
4MB

Abstract

Electrowetting has been widely used in digital microfluidics as a reliable actuation method due to its considerable advantages such as the absence of heat generation, rapid switching response, flexibility, and low power consumption. Research on the improvement of this method has turned into one of the attractive fields in the design of fluid handling micro devices. This work presents a combined numerical and experimental study to investigate the effect of electrode shape in electrowetting-based microsystems. A new crescent-shaped electrode is proposed which provides a uniform actuation force at the contact line as well as overlap between the adjacent electrodes. The onset of actuation and droplet mobility on electrode arrays have been investigated. The numerical method is based on the Volume of Fluid technique to track the 3-D interface along with the Laplace equation solver to calculate the electric field in the domain. Furthermore, the dynamic behaviour of tri-phase contact line is modeled using the molecular-kinetic theory. Validation experiments were carried out to characterize the droplet actuation on various electrode shapes. The superior performance of the new electrode shape is demonstrated by comparing the droplet velocity and deformation, as well as contact angle distribution with those of a simple flat electrode. Using crescent electrode, the droplet actuation occurs with less deformation and higher velocities. The velocities obtained by using the crescent electrode are up to 4 times at the onset of the actuation and 2 times at the steady state motion of those on the flat electrode. The novel crescent shape can even actuate the droplets which are not placed on the electrode

Divisions:Concordia University > Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science > Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Rajabi, Negar
Pagination:xiii, 92 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A. Sc.
Program:Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Date:2009
Thesis Supervisor(s):Dolatabadi, Ali
Identification Number:LE 3 C66M43M 2010 R35
ID Code:976689
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:22 Jan 2013 16:31
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 20:10
Related URLs:
All items in Spectrum are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved. The use of items is governed by Spectrum's terms of access.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads per month over past year

Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
- Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
Back to top Back to top