Adaptive Biological And Chemical Digital Assays In Microfluidic Droplets

Brief Description

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have developed a novel “passive” microfluidic architecture designed to sort droplets.

Full Description

Droplet microfluidic systems are extremely versatile due to their ability to transport and precisely generate fluid volumes of each individual droplet.Current methods to sort droplets involve size-based sorting using “active” sorting mechanisms coupled with optical or electrical sensing mechanisms.New methods of developing more “passive” droplet sorting methods would be very useful for scientists and would reduce the expenses associated with “active” sorting techniques.

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have developed a novel “passive” microfluidic architecture designed to sort droplets.This method allows for simple and rapid chip-based sorting mechanisms that eliminate the need for optical, electrical, magnetic, or other “active” sorting and sensing mechanisms.Using this sorting method eliminates the expense, complexity, lowered throughput, and reliability issues associated with “active” sorting techniques.

Suggested uses

The invention may be used to selectively separate droplets based on their contents.The technique may be used in applications such as PCR amplification, protein crosslinking, gelation, clotting, or other processes.

Advantages

Patent Status