Manipulation of microfluidic droplets by electrorheological fluid.
Microfluidics, especially droplet microfluidics, attracts more and more researchers from diverse fields, because it requires fewer materials and less time, produces less waste and has the potential of highly integrated and computer-controlled reaction processes for chemistry and biology. Electrorheological fluid, especially giant electrorheological fluid (GERF), which is considered as a kind of smart material, has been applied to the microfluidic systems to achieve active and precise control of fluid by electrical signal. In this review article, we will introduce recent results of microfluidic droplet manipulation, GERF and some pertinent achievements by introducing GERF into microfluidic system: digital generation, manipulation of "smart droplets" and droplet manipulation by GERF. Once it is combined with real-time detection, integrated chip with multiple functions can be realized.
Zhang
Menying
M
Nano Science and Technology Program and KAUST-HKUST Micro/Nanofluidic Joint Laboratory, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Gong
Xiuqing
X
Wen
Weijia
W
D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010316:Particle Size