Microfluidic chip

Abstract

The invention provides a micro-fluidic chip, the micro-fluidic chip comprises a first substrate, a second substrate and a blowing assembly, the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged oppositely and at an interval, and the first substrate and the second substrate define an accommodating space for accommodating liquid drops. The blowing assembly is arranged on the peripheral side of the first substrate and the peripheral side of the second substrate, and an air outlet of the blowing assembly communicates with the containing space. The first substrate and the second substrate are used for forming a preset electric field, the air blowing assembly is used for blowing air to the liquid drops, and the preset electric field and the air blowing assembly jointly drive the liquid drops to move on the first substrate. Therefore, the air blowing assembly and the driving electrode jointly drive the liquid drops to move, the voltage of the driving electrode is reduced, the situation that a TFT device in the driving circuit layer is damaged due to high voltage is avoided, and the service life of the micro-fluidic chip is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of microfluidic technology, and particularly to a microfluidic chip. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidic chip technology (Micro Fluidics) integrates basic operation units such as sample preparation, reaction, separation, and detection in the process of biological, chemical, and medical analysis onto a chip at the micron scale, and automatically completes the entire analysis process. Microfluidic chips (Microfluidic chip) have the advantages of high throughput, high speed, low power consumption, and less material consumption.

[0003] A microfluidic chip can drive the liquid inside it to move. However, the voltage for driving the liquid flow is usually relatively high, generally around 100V. The relatively high voltage easily causes damage to the thin film transistor (TFT) devices in the microfluidic chip, thereby reducing the service life of the microfluidic chip.

[0004] Therefore, how to solve the problem that the voltage for driving the liquid flow in the existing microfluidic chip is too high to improve the service life of the microfluidic chip is an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide a microfluidic chip, which aims to solve the problem that the voltage for driving the liquid flow in the existing microfluidic chip is too high, so as to improve the service life of the microfluidic chip.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of this application provides a microfluidic chip, which includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a blowing component. The first substrate and the second substrate are opposite and spaced apart. The first substrate and the second substrate enclose an accommodation space for accommodating the liquid droplet. The blowing component is arranged on the periphery of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the air outlet of the blowing component is communicated with the accommodation space. The first substrate and the second substrate are used to form a preset electric field, and the blowing component is used to blow air to the liquid droplet. The preset electric field and the blowing component jointly drive the liquid droplet to move on the first substrate.

[0007] In the prior art, the driving electrode drives the liquid droplet to flow, and its voltage is generally around 100V. The relatively high voltage easily causes damage to the TFT devices in the driving circuit layer, thereby reducing the service life of the microfluidic chip. Therefore, in this application, the blowing component and the driving electrode jointly drive the liquid droplet to move, reducing the voltage of the driving electrode, thereby avoiding damage to the TFT devices in the driving circuit layer caused by the relatively high voltage, and improving the service life of the microfluidic chip.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic chip further includes a plurality of retaining walls, which are arranged at intervals and distributed in an array. The plurality of retaining walls are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the plurality of retaining walls form a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels in the accommodating space, and the droplets move in the plurality of first channels and in the plurality of second channels.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the blowing assembly includes a first blowing member, a second blowing member, a third blowing member, and a fourth blowing member. The first blowing member and the second blowing member are opposite and arranged at intervals, and the third blowing member and the fourth blowing member are opposite and arranged at intervals. The air outlet of the first blowing member communicates with each of the first channels, the air outlet of the second blowing member communicates with each of the first channels, the air outlet of the third blowing member communicates with each of the second channels, and the air outlet of the fourth blowing member communicates with each of the second channels.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the accommodating space further includes a first connection channel, a second connection channel, a third connection channel, and a fourth connection channel. The first connection channel and the second connection channel are opposite and arranged at intervals, and the third connection channel and the fourth connection channel are opposite and arranged at intervals. The first connection channel communicates with each of the first channels respectively, the second connection channel communicates with each of the first channels respectively, the third connection channel communicates with each of the second channels respectively, the fourth connection channel communicates with each of the second channels respectively, the first connection channel also communicates with the fourth connection channel, and the second connection channel also communicates with the third connection channel. The blowing assembly includes a first blowing member and a second blowing member. The air outlet of the first blowing member communicates with the connection point between the first connection channel and the fourth connection channel, and the air outlet of the second blowing member communicates with the connection point between the second connection channel and the third connection channel.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic chip further includes a plurality of flexible components. A plurality of the flexible components are disposed in each of the first channels, and a plurality of the flexible components are disposed in each of the second channels. Each flexible component includes a first flexible member and a second flexible member. The first flexible member is disposed on the first substrate, and the second flexible member is disposed on the second substrate. The flexible component is configured to receive the blowing of the blowing assembly so that the first flexible member and the second flexible member are separated, and the droplet is configured to block the blowing.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic chip further includes a power supply and a current detection unit. The first flexible member of each flexible component is electrically connected to the power supply, and the second flexible member of each flexible component is electrically connected to the current detection unit. The current detection unit is configured to detect whether all of the flexible components in each of the first channels are electrically conductive.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the materials of the first flexible member and the second flexible member both include polyimide and indium tin oxide.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the first substrate includes a first base, a driving circuit layer, a plurality of driving electrodes, and a first hydrophobic layer. The driving circuit layer is disposed on the first base, the first hydrophobic layer is disposed on a surface of the driving circuit layer facing away from the first base, and the first hydrophobic layer covers the plurality of driving electrodes to the surface of the driving circuit layer facing away from the first base. The surface of the first hydrophobic layer facing away from the driving circuit layer faces the second substrate.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the second substrate includes a second base, a common electrode, and a second hydrophobic layer. The common electrode is disposed on a surface of the second base, and the second hydrophobic layer is disposed on a surface of the common electrode facing away from the second base. The surface of the second hydrophobic layer facing away from the common electrode faces the first substrate. The second hydrophobic layer and the first hydrophobic layer are opposite and spaced apart, and enclose the accommodation space.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact angle of the droplet on the first hydrophobic layer is greater than 90 degrees, and the contact angle of the droplet on the second hydrophobic layer is greater than 90 degrees. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the first layer structure of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a first top view schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 For Figure 2 a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip shown along the I-I direction;

[0021] Figure 4 The second top view structural schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 The second layer structure schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 6 The first working state schematic diagram of the flexible component in the first channel;

[0024] Figure 7 The second working state schematic diagram of the flexible component in the first channel;

[0025] Figure 8 The electrical connection architecture schematic diagram of the flexible component disclosed in the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0027] 1 - Microfluidic chip; 1a - Accommodating space; 2 - Droplet; 2a - First sub-droplet; 2b - Second sub-droplet;

[0028] 10 - First substrate; 11 - First base; 12 - Driving circuit layer; 13 - Driving electrode; 13a - First driving

[0029] electrode; 13b - Second driving electrode; 14 - First hydrophobic layer; 20 - Second substrate; 21 - Second base; 22 - Common electrode; 23 - Second hydrophobic layer; 30 - Blowing component; 31 - Blowing member; 31a - First blowing member; 31b - Second blowing member; 31c - Third blowing member; 31d - Fourth blowing member; 40 - Retaining wall; a1 - First channel; a2 - Second channel; b1 - First connecting channel; b2 - Second connecting channel; b3 - Third connecting channel; b4 - Fourth connecting channel; 50 - Flexible component; 50a - First flexible component; 50b - Second flexible component; 51 - First flexible member; 52 - Second flexible member; 60 - Power supply; 70 - Current detection unit. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] To facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application will be described more comprehensively below with reference to the relevant drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive.

[0031] The descriptions of the following embodiments refer to the attached drawings, which are used to illustrate specific embodiments in which the present application can be implemented. The serial numbers assigned to the components herein, such as "first", "second", etc., are only used to distinguish the described objects and do not have any sequential or technical meanings. The terms "connection" and "coupling" as used in the present application, unless otherwise specified, both include direct and indirect connection (coupling). The directional terms mentioned in the present application, such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "side

[0032] surface", etc., are only with reference to the directions in the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for better and clearer illustration and understanding of the present application, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0033] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install", "connect", and "couple" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations. It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description, claims, and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific sequence. In addition, the terms "include", "may include", "comprise", or "may comprise" used in the present application indicate the existence of the corresponding functions, operations, elements, etc. disclosed, and do not limit one or more other functions, operations, elements, etc. In addition, the term "include" or "comprise" means the existence of the corresponding features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, and is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. It should also be understood that the meaning of "at least one" described herein is one and above, such as one, two, or three, etc., and the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two or three, etc., unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0034] The definitions of terms such as "parallel" and "perpendicular" are all in view of the current technological level, rather than the absolutely strict definitions in the mathematical sense. A small deviation is allowed, and approximate parallelism, approximate perpendicularity, etc. are all acceptable. For example, A is parallel to B means that A is parallel to B or approximately parallel to B, and the included angle between A and B can be between 0 degrees and 5 degrees. For another example, A is perpendicular to B means that A is perpendicular to B or approximately perpendicular to B, and the included angle between A and B can be between 85 degrees and 95 degrees.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application.

[0036] Microfluidic chips are applied in the fields of drug screening, microorganism identification, medical devices, etc., and have the advantages of high throughput, high speed, low power consumption, and less material consumption. Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which is the first layer structure schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The microfluidic chip 1 in the embodiments of this application includes a first substrate 10, a second substrate 20, and a blowing component 30. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are opposite and spaced apart, and the blowing component 30 is disposed on the peripheral sides of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 enclose a containing space a, and the containing space 1a is used to contain the droplet 2 therein. The air outlet of the blowing component 30 is communicated with the containing space a. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are used to form a preset electric field, and the blowing component 30 is used to blow air to the droplet 2. The preset electric field and the blowing component 30 jointly drive the droplet 2 to move in the containing space a.

[0037] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, without the blowing component 30, the droplet 2 cannot be driven to move only by the preset electric field. Without the preset electric field, the droplet 2 cannot be driven to move only by the blowing component 30.

[0038] For convenience of description, the width direction of the microfluidic chip 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, the length direction of the microfluidic chip 1 is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction of the microfluidic chip 1 is defined as the Z-axis direction. Among them, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other in pairs.

[0039] In the embodiment of the present application, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are arranged along the Z-axis direction and spaced apart. In the embodiment of the present application, the first substrate 10 includes a first substrate 11, a driving circuit layer 12, a plurality of driving electrodes 13 and a first hydrophobic layer 14. Among them, the driving circuit layer 12 is disposed on the surface of the first substrate 11 facing the Z-axis direction. The plurality of driving electrodes 13 are arranged in an array and spaced apart from each other. That is, the plurality of driving electrodes 13 are arranged in multiple rows along the X-axis direction, and the plurality of driving electrodes 13 in each row are spaced apart from each other. The plurality of driving electrodes 13 are arranged in multiple columns along the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of driving electrodes 13 in each column are spaced apart from each other. The plurality of driving electrodes 13 are disposed on the surface of the driving circuit layer 12 facing away from the first substrate 11. The first hydrophobic layer 14 is disposed on the surface of the driving circuit layer 12 facing away from the first substrate 11, and the first hydrophobic layer 14 covers the plurality of driving electrodes 13, that is, the first hydrophobic layer 14 covers the plurality of driving electrodes 13 to the driving circuit layer 12. The surface of the first hydrophobic layer 14 facing away from the driving circuit layer 12 faces the second substrate 20.

[0040] Among them, the driving circuit layer 12 is connected and electrically connected to the plurality of driving electrodes 13, and the driving circuit layer 12 is configured to provide a voltage to the driving electrodes 13. The first hydrophobic layer 14 is hydrophobic to the droplet 2, reducing the contact area between the droplet 2 and the first hydrophobic layer 14, which is beneficial to driving the droplet 2 to move on the surface of the first hydrophobic layer 14. The first hydrophobic layer 14 is also used to insulate the droplet 2 from the driving electrodes 13.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the driving circuit layer 12 provides a driving voltage to the driving electrodes 13 by an active driving method. The active driving means that the driving circuit layer 12 is equipped with a thin film transistor (TFT) having a switching function for each driving electrode 13.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact angle of the droplet 2 on the first hydrophobic layer 14 is greater than 90 degrees. For example, 91 degrees, 100 degrees, 109 degrees, 120 degrees, 124 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 155 degrees, or other values. The present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present application, the second substrate 20 includes a second base 21, a common electrode 22, and a second hydrophobic layer 23. Among them, the common electrode 22 is disposed on the surface of the second base 21 facing away from the Z-axis direction, and the second hydrophobic layer 23 is disposed on the surface of the common electrode 22 facing away from the second base 21. The first hydrophobic layer 14 and the second hydrophobic layer 23 are opposite to each other and spaced apart to enclose the accommodation space a. The common electrode 22 and the driving electrode 13 are used to form the preset electric field. The second hydrophobic layer 23 is hydrophobic to the droplet 2, reducing the contact area between the droplet 2 and the second hydrophobic layer 23, which is beneficial to the movement of the droplet 2 in the accommodation space a and the maintenance of the shape of the droplet 2. The second hydrophobic layer 23 is also used to insulate the droplet 2 from the common electrode 22.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact angle of the droplet 2 on the second hydrophobic layer 23 is greater than 90 degrees. For example, 93 degrees, 107 degrees, 110 degrees, 116 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 140 degrees, 153 degrees, or other values. The present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present application, the droplet 2 is in contact with the first hydrophobic layer 14 and the second hydrophobic layer 23 respectively. The driving electrode 13 and the common electrode 22 are used to form a preset electric field, and the preset electric field is used to change the surface tension of the droplet 2, thereby changing the contact angle (i.e., the wetting angle) of the droplet 2 on the first hydrophobic layer 14, so that the droplet 2 can move in the accommodation space a.

[0046] Taking an example where the plurality of driving electrodes 13 include a first driving electrode 13a and a second driving electrode 13b and the droplet 2 to be analyzed includes a first sub-droplet 2a and a second sub-droplet 2b. The first sub-droplet 2a is the part of the droplet 2 facing the X-axis direction, and the second sub-droplet 2b is the part of the droplet 2 facing away from the X-axis direction. The first driving electrode 13a and the second driving electrode 13b are adjacent and spaced apart. The first sub-droplet 2a is above the first driving electrode 13a, that is, the orthographic projection of the first sub-droplet 2a on the first hydrophobic layer 14 partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the first driving electrode 13a on the first hydrophobic layer 14. The second sub-droplet 2b is above the second driving electrode 13b, that is, the orthographic projection of the second sub-droplet 2b on the first hydrophobic layer 14 partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the second driving electrode 13b on the first hydrophobic layer 14. Among them, the X-axis direction is opposite to the direction away from the X-axis.

[0047] The first driving electrode 13a and the common electrode 22 form the preset electric field, the surface tension of the first sub-droplet 2a is reduced, and the contact angle of the first sub-droplet 2a on the first hydrophobic layer 14 is increased, that is, the first sub-droplet 2a has a tendency to move in the X-axis direction, so that the droplet 2 as a whole has a tendency to move in the X-axis direction.

[0048] As described above, the first driving electrode 13a and the common electrode 22 form a preset electric field, and the droplet 2 as a whole has a tendency to move in the X-axis direction. At the same time, the blowing component 30 provides a gas moving in the X-axis direction to drive the droplet 2 to move in the X-axis direction. The first driving electrode 13a and the blowing component 30 jointly drive the droplet 2 as a whole to move in the X-axis direction. That is to say, the preset electric field forms a driving force for driving the droplet 2 to move in the X-axis direction, and the gas provided by the blowing component 30 forms a driving force for driving the droplet 2 to move in the X-axis direction. Under the combined action of the two driving forces, the droplet 2 moves in the X-axis direction.

[0049] The second driving electrode 13b and the common electrode 22 form a preset electric field, the surface tension of the second sub-droplet 2b is reduced, and the contact angle of the second sub-droplet 2b on the first hydrophobic layer 14 is increased, that is, the second sub-droplet 2b has a tendency to move away from the X-axis direction, so that the droplet 2 as a whole has a tendency to move away from the X-axis direction.

[0050] As described above, the second driving electrode 13b and the common electrode 22 form a preset electric field, and the droplet 2 as a whole has a tendency to move away from the X-axis direction. At the same time, the blowing component 30 also provides a gas moving away from the X-axis direction to drive the droplet 2 to move away from the X-axis direction. The second driving electrode 13b and the blowing component 30 jointly drive the droplet 2 to move away from the X-axis direction. That is to say, the preset electric field forms a driving force for driving the droplet 2 to move away from the X-axis direction, and the gas provided by the blowing component 30 also forms a driving force for driving the droplet 2 to move away from the X-axis direction. Under the combined action of the two driving forces, the droplet 2 as a whole moves away from the X-axis direction.

[0051] It can be understood that the driving electrode 13 drives the droplet 2 to flow, and its voltage is generally about 100V. A higher voltage is likely to cause damage to the TFT devices in the driving circuit layer 12, thereby reducing the service life of the microfluidic chip 1. Therefore, in this application, the blowing component 30 and the driving electrode 13 jointly drive the droplet 2 to move, reducing the voltage of the driving electrode 13, thereby avoiding damage to the TFT devices in the driving circuit layer 12 caused by a higher voltage and improving the service life of the microfluidic chip 1.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 which is the first top view schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, Figure 3 is Figure 2 the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip shown along the I-I direction. The microfluidic chip 1 further includes a plurality of retaining walls 40, and the plurality of retaining walls 40 are arranged at intervals and distributed in an array, that is, the plurality of retaining walls 40 are arranged in multiple rows along the X-axis direction and in multiple columns along the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of retaining walls 40 arranged along one row are spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of retaining walls 40 arranged along one column are spaced apart from each other. The plurality of retaining walls 40 are arranged between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20.

[0053] The accommodating space a includes a plurality of first channels a1 and a plurality of second channels a2, Figure 2 The dotted lines in show the positions of the first channels a1 and the second channels a2. The plurality of first channels a1 are arranged in sequence and spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis direction, and each first channel a extends along the X-axis direction, that is, the plurality of first channels a1 are arranged in multiple rows along the X-axis direction and are sequentially spaced apart along the Y-axis direction. The plurality of second channels a2 are arranged in sequence and spaced apart from each other along the X-axis direction, and each second channel a2 extends along the Y-axis direction, that is, the plurality of second channels a2 are arranged in multiple columns along the Y-axis direction and are sequentially spaced apart along the X-axis direction. One first channel a1 communicates with a plurality of second channels a2, and one second channel a2 communicates with a plurality of first channels a1.

[0054] Wherein, the retaining wall 40 is the channel wall of the first channel a1 and the second channel a2. In other words, the retaining wall 40 divides the accommodating space a into a plurality of first channels a1 and a plurality of second channels a2. Wherein, the retaining wall 40 blocks the movement of the droplet 2, so that the droplet 2 moves in the plurality of first channels a and in the plurality of second channels b.

[0055] It should be noted that Figure 2 the retaining wall 40 and the driving electrode 13 cannot be directly seen in, and for the convenience of display, Figure 2 the positions of the retaining wall 40 and the driving electrode 13 are shown by dotted lines in. Figure 2The number of the retaining walls 40 and the driving electrodes 13, the distribution density of the retaining walls 40 and the distribution density of the driving electrodes 13 in the [description] are only examples. The number of the retaining walls 40 and the driving electrodes 13 of the microfluidic chip 1, the distribution density of the retaining walls 40 and the distribution density of the driving electrodes 13 can be adaptively changed according to the parameters and physical properties of the droplets and the functions of the microfluidic chip 1. The present application does not make specific limitations thereto.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the positive projection of the driving electrode 13 in the Z-axis direction is spaced from the positive projection of the retaining wall 40 in the Z-axis direction.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the material of the retaining wall 40 includes polyimide (PI).

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 10 is integrally rectangular, and the second substrate 20 is integrally rectangular.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, the blowing assembly 30 includes four blowing members 31, and the four blowing members 31 are disposed around the peripheral sides of the first substrate 10 and around the peripheral sides of the second substrate 20.

[0060] Taking the four blowing members 31 as the first blowing member 31a, the second blowing member 31b, the third blowing member 31c and the fourth blowing member 31d as examples for illustration, the blowing assembly 30 includes the first blowing member 31a, the second blowing member 31b, the third blowing member 31c and the fourth blowing member 31d. The first blowing member 31a and the second blowing member 31b are oppositely disposed and spaced along the X-axis direction, and the third blowing member 31c and the fourth blowing member 31d are oppositely disposed and spaced along the X-axis direction.

[0061] The first blowing member 31a is disposed on the surface of the first substrate 10 facing the X-axis direction, and the air outlet of the first blowing member 31a is communicated with each of the first channels a1. The second blowing member 31b is disposed on the surface of the first substrate 10 facing away from the X-axis direction, and the air outlet of the second blowing member 31b is communicated with each of the first channels a1. The third blowing member 31c is disposed on the surface of the first substrate 10 facing the Y-axis direction, and the air outlet of the third blowing member 31c is communicated with each of the second channels a2. The fourth blowing member 31d is disposed on the surface of the first substrate 10 facing away from the Y-axis direction, and the air outlet of the fourth blowing member 31d is communicated with each of the second channels a2.

[0062] If it is necessary to drive the droplet 2 to move in the X-axis direction, the second blowing member 31b blows air into the plurality of first channels a1. If it is necessary to drive the droplet 2 to move in a direction away from the X-axis, the first blowing member 31a blows air into the plurality of first channels a1. If it is necessary to drive the droplet 2 to move in the Y-axis direction, the fourth blowing member 31d blows air into the plurality of second channels a2. If it is necessary to drive the droplet 2 to move in a direction away from the Y-axis, the third blowing member 31c blows air into the plurality of second channels a2.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, there are two air inlets of the first channel a1, and the two air inlets of the first channel a1 are arranged opposite to each other along the X-axis direction. The two air inlets of the first channel a1 are both in a "flared" shape, which is beneficial to gathering the gas blown out by the blowing member 31. There are two air inlets of the second channel a2, and the two air inlets of the second channel a2 are arranged opposite to each other along the Y-axis direction. The two air inlets of the second channel a2 are both in a "flared" shape, which is beneficial to gathering the gas blown out by the blowing member 31.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is the second top view structural schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 The shown microfluidic chip and Figure 2 The difference between the shown microfluidic chip and the microfluidic chip shown in Figure 4 is that the number of the blowing members 31 is two. Figure 2 For the description of the same parts in the structure of the shown microfluidic chip and the microfluidic chip shown in Figure 2 , please refer to the relevant description in

[0065] Specifically, the accommodating space a further includes a first connection channel b1, a second connection channel b2, a third connection channel b3, and a fourth connection channel b4. Figure 4 The dotted lines in

[0066] show the positions of the first channel a1, the second channel a2, the first connection channel b1, the second connection channel b2, the third connection channel b3, and the fourth connection channel b4.

[0067] The first connection channels b1 are respectively arranged at the air inlets of each first channel a1 facing the X-axis direction, and the first connection channels b1 are respectively communicated with each first channel a1. The second connection channels b2 are respectively arranged at the air inlets of each first channel a1 facing away from the X-axis direction, and the second connection channels b2 are respectively communicated with each first channel a1. The third connection channels b3 are respectively arranged at the air inlets of each second channel a2 facing the Y-axis direction, and the third connection channels b3 are respectively communicated with each second channel a2. The fourth connection channels b4 are respectively arranged at the air inlets of each second channel a2 facing away from the Y-axis direction, and the fourth connection channels b4 are respectively communicated with each second channel a2.

[0068] The first connection channel b1 is also communicated with the fourth connection channel b4, and the second connection channel b2 is also communicated with the third connection channel b3.

[0069] The first blowing member 31a and the second blowing member 31b are arranged diagonally, that is, the connecting lines between the first blowing member 31a and the second blowing member 31b form an angle with the X-axis direction and an angle with the Y-axis direction respectively. The first blowing member 31a is located at the communication position of the first connection channel b1 and the fourth connection channel b4, and the air outlet of the first blowing member 31a is respectively communicated with the first connection channel b1 and the fourth connection channel b4. The second blowing member 31b is located at the communication position of the second connection channel b2 and the third connection channel b3, and the air outlet of the second blowing member 31b is respectively communicated with the second connection channel b2 and the third connection channel b3.

[0070] If the droplet 2 needs to move in the Y-axis direction, the first blowing member 31a blows air. If the droplet 2 needs to move away from the X-axis direction, the first blowing member 31a blows air. If the droplet 2 needs to move in the X-axis direction, the second blowing member 31b blows air. If the droplet 2 needs to move away from the Y-axis direction, the second blowing member 31b blows air.

[0071] It can be understood that one blowing member blows air into the first channel a1 and the second channel a2 simultaneously through the first connection channel b1 and the second connection channel b2, realizing that one blowing member can blow air in two directions simultaneously. Another blowing member blows air into the first channel a1 and the second channel a2 simultaneously through the third connection channel b3 and the fourth connection channel b4, realizing that one blowing member can blow air in two directions simultaneously. Therefore, by additionally arranging the first connection channel b1, the second connection channel b2, the third connection channel b3 and the fourth connection channel b4, only two blowing members are needed to blow air in four directions, reducing the number of blowing members and saving costs.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 which is the second layer structure schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 The difference between the shown microfluidic chip 1 and Figure 3 the shown microfluidic chip 1 is that: Figure 5 the shown microfluidic chip further includes a plurality of flexible components 50. Figure 5 For the description of the same parts in the structure between the shown microfluidic chip 1 and Figure 3 the shown microfluidic chip 1, please refer to Figure 3 the relevant description, which will not be repeated here.

[0073] In the embodiment of the present application, a plurality of flexible components 50 are arranged in each of the first channels a1, and a plurality of flexible components 50 are arranged in each of the second channels a2. Each of the flexible components 50 includes a first flexible member 51 and a second flexible member 52. The first flexible member 51 is arranged on the first hydrophobic layer 14 of the first substrate 10, and the second flexible member 52 is arranged on the second hydrophobic layer 23 of the second substrate 20.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, when the blowing member 31 does not provide gas, the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 are connected and electrically conductive. When the flexible component 50 receives the blowing of the blowing member 31, the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 are separated, and the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 are open-circuited, that is, the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 are not electrically conductive. The droplet 2 is used to block the blowing of the blowing member.

[0075] For example, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 which is the first working state schematic diagram of the flexible component in the first channel, Figure 7 and Figure 6 which is the second working state schematic diagram of the flexible component in the first channel. Among them, Figure 7 there is no droplet 2 in the shown first channel a1, Figure 6 and Figure 7 there is a droplet 2 in the shown first channel a1. Figure 2 The shown first channel a1 and Figure 4 the shown first channel a1 can be

[0076] any two first channels a1 in Figure 6 or can be Figure 6 any two first channels a1 in Figure 6The first flexible members 51 and the second flexible members 52 of all the flexible components 50 in the first channel a1 are separated. It should be noted that after the blowing is finished, under the action of gravity, the first flexible members 51 and the second flexible members 52 are reconnected and conducted.

[0077] Figure 7 The arrow in the figure indicates the blowing direction. The blowing member 31 provides blowing in the direction away from the X-axis. Since the droplet 2 blocks the blowing, the first flexible member 51 of some flexible components 50 in the first channel a1 is separated from the second flexible member 52, and the first flexible member 51 of some flexible components 50 is connected to the second flexible member 52.

[0078] It can be understood that the droplet 2 can be determined to be in a specific first channel a1 by judging whether the first flexible members 51 and the second flexible members 52 of all the flexible members 50 in the first channel a1 are completely separated. Similarly, the droplet 2 can be determined to be in a specific second channel a2 by judging whether the first flexible members 51 and the second flexible members 52 of all the flexible members 50 in the second channel a2 are completely separated. Therefore, the intersection of a specific first channel a1 and a specific second channel a2 is the location of the droplet 2.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the electrical connection architecture of the flexible component disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. The microfluidic chip 1 also includes a power supply 60 and a current detection unit 70. The first flexible component 51 of each of the flexible components 50 is electrically connected to the power supply 60, and the second flexible component 52 of each of the flexible components 50 is electrically connected to the current detection unit 70. The current detection unit 70 is used to detect whether the multiple flexible components 50 in each of the first channels a1 are all turned on. If the multiple flexible components 50 in a first channel a1 are not all turned on, the droplet 2 is in the first channel a1.

[0080] The current detection unit 70 is also used to detect whether all the flexible components 50 in each second channel a2 are turned on. If all the flexible components 50 in a second channel a2 are not turned on, the droplet 2 is in the second channel a2.

[0081] It is understandable that in order to perform the next step of manipulation or processing on the droplet 2, the microfluidic chip 1 needs to detect the position of the droplet 2 in real time. The present application detects the droplet 2 in a first channel a1 and a second channel a2 through the current detection unit 70, and then detects the specific position of the droplet 2. The intersection of the first channel a1 and the second channel a2 where the droplet 2 is located is the specific position of the droplet 2.

[0082] It should be noted that the flow rate of the blowing provided by the blowing member 31 needs to be limited within a preset flow rate range to implement the above-mentioned solution for detecting the position of the droplet 2. For example, if the flow rate of the blowing provided by the blowing member 31 is too small, the blowing cannot separate the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 of all the flexible components 50 in the first channel a1 shown in the figure. If the flow rate of the blowing provided by the blowing member 31 is too large, the blowing may separate the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 of all the flexible components 50 in the first channel a1 shown in the figure. Figure 6 separate all the first flexible members 51 and the second flexible members 52 of the flexible components 50 in the first channel a1 shown in the figure. If the flow rate of the blowing provided by the blowing member 31 is too large, the blowing may Figure 7 separate all the first flexible members 51 and the second flexible members 52 of the flexible components 50 in the first channel a1 shown in the figure.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, the materials of the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 both include polyimide and indium tin oxide. Polyimide enables the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 to have a certain flexibility, and indium tin oxide enables the first flexible member 51 and the second flexible member 52 to have electrical conductivity.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible components 50 in each first channel a1 can be 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, or other more numbers, and the present application does not make specific limitations on this. The number of flexible components 50 in each second channel a2 can be 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, or other more numbers, and the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0085] In summary, the microfluidic chip 1 provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a first substrate 10, a second substrate 20, and a blowing assembly 30. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are opposite and spaced apart. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 enclose an accommodation space a, and the droplet 2 is accommodated in the accommodation space a. The blowing assembly 30 is disposed on the peripheral side of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, and the air outlet of the blowing assembly 30 is communicated with the accommodation space a. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are used to form a preset electric field, and the blowing assembly 30 is used to blow air to the droplet 2. The preset electric field and the blowing assembly 30 jointly drive the droplet 2 to move on the first substrate 10. In the prior art, the driving electrode drives the droplet to flow, and its voltage is generally about 100V. A higher voltage is likely to cause damage to the TFT devices in the driving circuit layer, thereby reducing the service life of the microfluidic chip. Therefore, in the present application, the blowing assembly 30 and the driving electrode 13 jointly drive the droplet 2 to move, reducing the voltage of the driving electrode 13, thereby avoiding damage to the TFT devices in the driving circuit layer 12 caused by a higher voltage and improving the service life of the microfluidic chip 1.

[0086] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "schematic embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0087] It should be understood that the application of the present application is not limited to the above examples. For those of ordinary skill in the art, improvements or transformations can be made according to the above description, and all such improvements and transformations should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand all or part of the processes of implementing the above embodiments, and the equivalent changes made according to the claims of the present application still fall within the scope covered by the present application.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip for accommodating droplets, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip comprises a first substrate, a second substrate and an air blowing assembly, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are opposite to each other and spaced apart, the first substrate and the second substrate enclose a receiving space for receiving the droplets, the air blowing assembly is arranged on the peripheral sides of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the air outlet of the air blowing assembly is communicated with the receiving space; The first substrate and the second substrate are used to form a preset electric field, and the blowing component is used to blow air toward the droplets. The preset electric field and the blowing component together drive the droplets to move on the first substrate.

2. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip also includes a plurality of retaining walls, which are spaced apart from each other and distributed in an array, and are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The plurality of retaining walls form the accommodating space into a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels, and the droplets move in the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels.

3. The microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The blowing assembly includes a first blowing member, a second blowing member, a third blowing member and a fourth blowing member, the first blowing member and the second blowing member are opposite to each other and are arranged at intervals, the third blowing member and the fourth blowing member are opposite to each other and are arranged at intervals, an air outlet of the first blowing member is communicated with each of the first channels, an air outlet of the second blowing member is communicated with each of the first channels, an air outlet of the third blowing member is communicated with each of the second channels, and an air outlet of the fourth blowing member is communicated with each of the second channels.

4. The microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The accommodating space further includes a first connecting channel, a second connecting channel, a third connecting channel and a fourth connecting channel, the first connecting channel is opposite to the second connecting channel and is spaced apart, the third connecting channel is opposite to the fourth connecting channel and is spaced apart, the first connecting channel is respectively communicated with each of the first channels, the second connecting channel is respectively communicated with each of the first channels, the third connecting channel is respectively communicated with each of the second channels, the fourth connecting channel is respectively communicated with each of the second channels, the first connecting channel is also communicated with the fourth connecting channel, and the second connecting channel is also communicated with the third connecting channel; The blowing assembly includes a first blowing member and a second blowing member, the air outlet of the first blowing member is connected to the connection between the first connecting channel and the fourth connecting channel, and the air outlet of the second blowing member is connected to the connection between the second connecting channel and the third connecting channel.

5. The microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip further comprises a plurality of flexible components, wherein each of the first channels is provided with a plurality of the flexible components, and each of the second channels is provided with a plurality of the flexible components; Each of the flexible components includes a first flexible component and a second flexible component, the first flexible component is arranged on the first substrate, the second flexible component is arranged on the second substrate, the flexible component is used to receive the blowing of the blowing component so that the first flexible component is separated from the second flexible component, and the droplets are used to block the blowing.

6. The microfluidic chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip also includes a power supply and a current detection unit. The first flexible part of each of the flexible components is electrically connected to the power supply, and the second flexible part of each of the flexible components is electrically connected to the current detection unit. The current detection unit is used to detect whether all of the multiple flexible components in each of the first channels are turned on.

7. The microfluidic chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: The materials of the first flexible member and the second flexible member both include polyimide and indium tin oxide.

8. The microfluidic chip according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first substrate includes a first base, a driving circuit layer, a plurality of driving electrodes and a first hydrophobic layer, the driving circuit layer is arranged on the first base, the first hydrophobic layer is arranged on the surface of the driving circuit layer facing away from the first base, and the first hydrophobic layer covers the plurality of driving electrodes to the surface of the driving circuit layer facing away from the first base, and the surface of the first hydrophobic layer facing away from the driving circuit layer faces the second substrate.

9. The microfluidic chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second substrate includes a second base, a common electrode and a second hydrophobic layer. The common electrode is arranged on a surface of the second base, the second hydrophobic layer is arranged on a surface of the common electrode facing away from the second base, the surface of the second hydrophobic layer facing away from the common electrode faces the first substrate, the second hydrophobic layer is opposite to the first hydrophobic layer and is arranged at an interval, and encloses the accommodating space.

10. The microfluidic chip according to claim 9, characterized in that: The contact angle of the liquid drop on the first hydrophobic layer is greater than 90 degrees, and the contact angle of the liquid drop on the second hydrophobic layer is greater than 90 degrees.

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