title: Microfluidic bubble logic.
abstract: We demonstrate universal computation in an all-fluidic two-phase microfluidic system. Nonlinearity is introduced into an otherwise linear, reversible, low-Reynolds number flow via bubble-to-bubble hydrodynamic interactions. A bubble traveling in a channel represents a bit, providing us with the capability to simultaneously transport materials and perform logical control operations. We demonstrate bubble logic AND/OR/NOT gates, a toggle flip-flop, a ripple counter, timing restoration, a ring oscillator, and an electro-bubble modulator. These show the nonlinearity, gain, bistability, synchronization, cascadability, feedback, and programmability required for scalable universal computation. With increasing complexity in large-scale microfluidic processors, bubble logic provides an on-chip process control mechanism integrating chemistry and computation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Bits and Atoms, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. manup@mit.edu
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gershenfeld
mesh_terms: D002197:Capillary Action; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003205:Computing Methodologies; D008128:Logic; D008433:Mathematics; D046208:Microchip Analytical Procedures; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D044085:Microfluidics; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D013500:Surface Tension