Interfacial tension controlled fusion of individual femtolitre droplets and triggering of confined chemical reactions on demand.
This paper describes stepwise on-demand generation and fusion of femtolitre aqueous droplets based on interfacial tension. Sub-millisecond reaction times from droplet fusion were demonstrated, as well as a reversible chemical toggle switch based on alternating fusion of droplets containing acidic or basic solution, monitored with the pH-dependent emission of fluorescein.
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Seung-Yong
SY
Jung
Scott T
ST
Retterer
C Patrick
CP
Collier
D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods; D032701:Biomimetics; D002021:Buffers; D002621:Chemistry / Q000379:methods; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D046228:Microarray Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D013997:Time Factors
D002021:Buffers; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; C013830:baysilon; D019793:Fluorescein