Dynamically reconfigurable and programmatical microfluidic system, and application thereof

Abstract

Provided in the present disclosure is a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system and an application thereof. The microfluidic system includes: a microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation and a chip control unit that are communicatively connected in sequence, where the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation includes a driving layer, a deformation execution layer, a diaphragm layer, and a cover layer that are arranged sequentially from bottom to top, the diaphragm layer and the cover layer are spaced apart to form a workspace, microdroplets are placed in the workspace, and a stimulus source unit on the driving layer stimulates the deformation execution layer to generate a stimuli-responsive deformation such that the diaphragm layer is driven to produce a change in surface shape / morphology, thereby changing local sizes of the workspace, inducing capillary forces to achieve self-driven motion and dynamic deformation of the microdroplets, allowing a user to customize functions of different areas on the chip according to actual experimental requirements, and meeting control requirements for the microfluid in different scenarios.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of microfluidics, and particularly, to a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system and an application thereof.BACKGROUND

[0002] Precise control over the motion of microfluids in batches has broad industrial application prospects in biopharmaceuticals, cell culture, biochemical detection, microfluidic systems, and other fields, and can free researchers from labor-intensive experimental operations while greatly improving efficiency. At present, there are mainly three types of microfluidic systems for handling discrete-phase microfluids: 1, microfluidic systems based on the electrowetting principle; 2, microfluidic systems driven by acoustic waves; and 3, microfluidic systems guided by magnetic fields. However, in actual production and use, these methods all have different problems. For the microfluidic systems based on the electrowetting principle, during transport of the microfluids, the charging and discharging process on the droplet surface may cause electrical degradation, which can damage experimental samples. For the microfluidic systems driven by acoustic waves, the fabrication of microfluidic platforms is complex, and the miniaturization of individual driving units is difficult, making it challenging to handle large batches of microfluids. For the microfluidic systems guided by magnetic fields, ferromagnetic particles must be added to the droplets , which can contaminate the droplets to be controlled in some cases.

[0003] In addition, to complete multiple operations such as droplet stirring, mixing, and splitting, external framework structures or additional devices are required, making it impossible to achieve dynamic reuse at the same position. Accordingly, microfluidic chips have low reconfigurability, and different experiments require the redesign of corresponding microfluidic chips.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new microfluidic platform to drive the motion of microfluids with minimal impact on the microfluids, while achieving high reconfigurability.SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system and an application thereof. A micro-actuator array is used to control and change local sizes of a workspace in a microfluidic chip through deformation, thereby inducing capillary forces to achieve self-driven motion and dynamic deformation of a microfluid, allowing a user to customize functions of different areas on the chip according to actual experimental requirements, and meeting control requirements for the microfluid in different scenarios.

[0006] To achieve the above objective, this solution provides a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system, including: a microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation and a chip control unit that are communicatively connected in sequence, where the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation includes a driving layer, a deformation execution layer, a diaphragm layer, and a cover layer that are arranged sequentially from bottom to top, where the diaphragm layer and the cover layer are spaced apart to form a workspace, a controlled microfluid is placed in the workspace, the diaphragm layer is bonded to the deformation execution layer by chemical or physical means, the driving layer is an addressable stimulus source array, the deformation execution layer is an actuator array, and a stimulus source unit on the driving layer stimulates the deformation execution layer to generate a stimuli-responsive deformation such that the diaphragm layer is driven to produce a change in surface shape / morphology, thereby changing local sizes of the workspace, and inducing capillary forces to achieve self-driven motion and dynamic deformation of the microfluid.

[0007] In some embodiments, the dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system includes a microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit and / or a programmable control unit in communication with the chip control unit, where the microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit monitors a state of the microfluid in the workspace, and the programmable control unit controls the chip control unit.

[0008] In some embodiments, the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation, the chip control unit, the microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit, and the programmable control unit are interconnected via wires for control signal transmission and energy supply.

[0009] In some embodiments, the stimulus source array on the driving layer can be patterned and locally driven under the control of the chip control unit.

[0010] In some embodiments, a spacing of 0-2,000 µm exists between the cover layer and the diaphragm layer to form the workspace.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cover layer is a functionalizable light-transmitting flat panel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the deformation execution layer is prepared from a stimuli-responsive deformable material, which includes but is not limited to a hydrogel, a liquid crystal polymer, a dielectric elastomer, a magnetic fluid, a piezoelectric material, a supramolecular material, a liquid-gas phase transition material, an electromagnetic motor structure, and other materials or devices that produce changes in length, volume, or bending angle under external physical or chemical stimuli. Preferably, the deformation execution layer is prepared from a stimuli-responsive deformable liquid crystal polymer material. In a preferred embodiment, the stimuli-responsive deformable polymer material is a liquid crystal elastomer material obtained by means of an enol click reaction, a Michael addition reaction, or free radical polymerization, and the liquid crystal elastomer material is a liquid crystal polymer material.

[0013] In some embodiments, actuators in the deformation execution layer may be entirely or partially composed of a stimuli-responsive deformable material. For example, in a binary structure, one half is composed of the stimuli-responsive deformable material, and the other half is composed of a non-stimuli-responsive deformable material. The non-stimuli-responsive deformable material may be various polymers, ceramics, metals, glass, inorganic substances, or the like, with a height of 0-200 mm and a diameter of 0.0001-50 mm, where 0 mm represents an actuator array prepared entirely from the stimuli-responsive deformable material.

[0014] In some embodiments, the actuator array is provided with a plurality of actuators that can be controlled independently, and the actuators in the deformation execution layer have an absolute deformation rate (ε = |(L0-L) / L0|) of 0-80% during contraction deformation in a height / length direction, an absolute deformation rate (ε = |(L0-L) / L0|) of 0-500% during elongation deformation, and a bending angle of 0-90° during bending deformation.

[0015] In some embodiments, the stimuli-responsive deformable material of the actuators in the deformation execution layer has a diameter of 0.0001 mm to 50 mm and a height of 0.0001-50 mm, and the spacing between adjacent actuators is 0.0001 mm to 50 mm. The actuator array may be arranged in a square, rectangular, triangular, or other irregular lattice shapes. Each flexible micro-actuator in the actuator array may be in a form of a cylinder, a tetrahedron, a cuboid, a spindle, or other regular or irregular polyhedrons.

[0016] Preferably, the actuators in the deformation execution layer are arranged in the square lattice shape, and each actuator is in the form of the cylinder.

[0017] In some embodiments, one side or both sides of each of planes on two sides of the workspace are dynamically reconfigurable surfaces, and when one side of each of the planes on the two sides of the workspace is the dynamically reconfigurable surface, the dynamically reconfigurable surface is the diaphragm layer, and a material of the other plane is one of a metallic material, an inorganic non-metallic material, a polymer material, or a composite material.

[0018] Preferably, the cover layer is prepared from a rigid light-transmitting material such as glass or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0019] In some embodiments, the workspace is filled with a dispersion and protective medium for the controlled fluid, which may be an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon, air, or a liquid such as an electronic fluorinated fluid or silicone oil.

[0020] In some embodiments, the microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit employs a non-contact method such as a vision-based camera to monitor and provide feedback on a microfluidic operation in the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation; or a sensing approach may be utilized, where sensing electrode arrays or sensor arrays integrated on surfaces of or inside the diaphragm layer and the shell layer are employed to monitor and provide feedback on the microfluidic operation in the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation.

[0021] The microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit feeds back the motion state of the microfluid in the workspace to the programmable control unit, such that a user can control the surface topography of microfluidic chip in real time via programmable control unit.

[0022] In some embodiments, the addressable stimulus source array serving as the driving layer is communicatively connected to the chip control unit and the programmable control unit. A stimulus source of the driving layer, under programmable control of the programmable control unit and the chip control unit, generates a dynamic patterned stimulus and drives the actuator array serving as the deformation execution layer to produce a dynamic patterned deformation. The stimuli-responsive deformation of the actuator array induces a change in local patterned morphology / shape of a surface of the diaphragm layer, changes the local sizes of the workspace for the microfluid in the chip, induces capillary forces to achieve self-driven motion and dynamic deformation of the microfluid, and enables parallel and dynamic execution of multiple microfluidic operations.

[0023] In some embodiments, the driving layer is composed of addressable control stimulus sources, which may be selected from a driving layer based on digital patterning light projection technology such as digital light processing (DLP) or liquid crystal display (LCD), a driving layer with an electrode array prepared by printed circuit boards (PCB) or semiconductor micro-nano processing technology, or other driving layers capable of local patterning stimulus control, or one or any combination of driving layers based on light display technology such as OLED and LED arrays. In a preferred embodiment, the driving layer is a driving layer with an electrode array prepared by printed circuit boards (PCB) or semiconductor micro-nano processing technology. In another preferred embodiment, the driving layer composed of the addressable control stimulus sources is a driving layer with an electrode array prepared by printed circuit boards (PCB) or semiconductor micro-nano processing technology.

[0024] The addressable control stimulus source in this solution is selected from one or more of light, electricity, temperature, humidity, and a chemical stimulus. When the light is used as the stimulus source for the driving layer, the illumination intensity, light spot area size, and light source distribution of a light source are adjusted; when the electricity is used as the stimulus source, the electric field intensity and distribution of a power supply are adjusted; when the temperature is used as the stimulus source, the temperature and distribution of a temperature source are adjusted; when the humidity is used as the stimulus source, the humidity level and distribution area are adjusted; and when the chemical stimulus is used, the concentration and distribution of a chemical stimulus source are adjusted, such that a deformation amount of each actuator in the flexible micro-actuator array can be dynamically controlled in real time, thereby controlling patterning and local topography / shape changes of the deformation execution layer and the diaphragm layer.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment, the electricity is used as the addressable control stimulus source for the driving layer that can be patterned and locally driven.

[0026] In some embodiments, the stimulus source array of the driving layer is laid on a substrate to form a substrate plate that can be patterned and locally driven. In some embodiments, the chip based on surface topography deformation may be prepared on a planar or non-planar curved substrate, and correspondingly, the substrate plate that can be patterned and locally driven may be the planar or non-planar curved substrate. That is, the stimulus source array of the driving layer is laid on the planar or non-planar curved substrate.

[0027] It should be noted that the actuators of the deformation execution layer may be selected as rigid actuators in a form of a very small motor array, electromagnetic array, or piezoelectric material array. Such rigid actuators can also achieve deformation or displacement under an electric stimulus. In a preferred embodiment, the stimulus source of the driving layer stimulates the stimuli-responsive polymer material of the flexible micro-actuator array via a thermal stimulus to produce deformation; an electric current is passed through the driving layer to generate Joule heat, which then acts on the stimuli-responsive polymer material; and a deformation state of the stimuli-responsive polymer material of the deformation execution layer is controlled by changing a magnitude of the electric current and time when the electric current is applied.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, when the microfluid is a hydrophilic microfluid or a hydrophobic microfluid, the dynamically reconfigurable surface is modified with a hydrophobic coating, and correspondingly, the surface of the diaphragm layer is modified with a hydrophobic coating.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, when the microfluid is a hydrophobic microfluid, a surfactant is doped in the microfluid.

[0030] In some embodiments, a volume range of the microfluid is 0.1 pL to 10 mL.

[0031] In some embodiments, this system is applicable to microfluidic operations of various types of liquids, and the microfluid includes silicone oil, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, water, isopropanol, toluene, pentane, octane, cyclohexanone, ether, propylene oxide, methyl butanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, acetonitrile, pyridine, a gas-liquid fluid, an emulsion, a gas-solid fluid, gasoline, a biochemical liquid, a salt solution, an electronic fluorinated liquid, and a mixed liquid thereof.

[0032] In some embodiments, because the surface morphology of the diaphragm layer in the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation can undergo local topological deformation, dynamic switching between multiple microfluidic operations such as transport, stirring, splitting, merging, shaking, and compressive deformation can be implemented in the same area of the workspace of the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation, thereby achieving dynamic reconfiguration of a functional area; and the microfluidic operation in any area can be dynamically changed in real time. Additionally, through patterned surface shape / morphology changes, operations can be performed simultaneously at different positions to achieve parallel control.

[0033] In some embodiments, the chip control unit controls each stimulus source unit located on the driving layer in the chip based on surface topography deformation via a switch chip, and each switch chip is controlled by a microcontroller of the programmable control unit via a communication protocol.

[0034] In some embodiments, the chip control unit is controlled by the programmable control unit via a control protocol, ultimately enabling control of each stimulus source unit on the driving layer through a program on the programming control unit.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment, the communication protocol is an SPI protocol.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment, the communication protocol is a USB protocol.

[0037] In another preferred embodiment, the programmable control unit is implemented by a computer and a control program.

[0038] In a second aspect, this solution provides an application method for a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system, including: placing the microfluid in the workspace, controlling, by the chip control unit, each stimulus source unit on the driving layer of the chip based on surface topography deformation, stimulating, by the driving layer, the deformation execution layer of the chip to generate a stimuli-responsive deformation which then drives the diaphragm layer to produce a surface topography, and dynamically adjusting a driving direction and a driving speed of the microfluid in real time by controlling a position of a reconfiguration point and time when a topological change occurs in the diaphragm layer.

[0039] In some embodiments, when the microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit and / or the programmable control unit communicates with the chip control unit, the microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit acquires a state of the microfluid in the workspace and sends a feedback signal to the chip control unit and / or the programmable control unit, and the programmable control unit communicates with and controls the chip control unit.

[0040] In some embodiments, multiple microfluidic operations are performed in parallel in different working areas of the workspace of the microfluidic chip, and the microfluidic operation in any working area is dynamically changed in real time.

[0041] In some embodiments, through patterned surface shape / morphology changes in the microfluidic chip, operations can be performed simultaneously at different positions to achieve parallel control.

[0042] In some embodiments, the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation can be placed horizontally or on a non-horizontal plane to perform microfluidic operations, and can even overcome gravitational effects to perform microfluidic operations when placed vertically.

[0043] In some embodiments, the control method is to dynamically adjust the driving direction and the driving speed in real time by controlling the position of the reconfiguration location and the time when the topological change occurs in the diaphragm layer serving as the dynamically reconfigurable surface. An angle range of the driving direction on the plane of the workspace is 0-360°, and a range of the driving speed is 0-1 m / s.

[0044] In some embodiments, the control method is to adjust a frequency of periodic deformation by controlling the time for the reconfiguration location when the topological change occurs in the diaphragm layer serving as the dynamically reconfigurable surface. A frequency range is 0-500 Hz.

[0045] Compared with the prior art, this technical solution has the following characteristics and beneficial effects: The present disclosure designs a microfluidic chip for driving motion of a microfluid based on deformation of a dynamically reconfigurable surface and an application thereof. A micro-actuator array can be used to change local sizes of a workspace in the chip through deformation, thereby inducing capillary forces to achieve self-driven motion and dynamic deformation of the microfluid, and enabling parallel and dynamic execution of multiple microfluidic operations. Patterned deformation of the micro-actuator array enables parallel execution of multiple microfluidic operations (transport, merging, mixing and stirring, splitting, shaking, and compressive deformation), and allows dynamic and real-time change of the microfluidic operation in any area of the chip. The microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit can monitor in real time and provide feedback on the microfluidic operations in the chip, thereby forming closed-loop automated control. Additionally, the microfluidic chip can be placed horizontally or on a non-horizontal plane to perform microfluidic operations, and can even overcome gravitational effects to perform microfluidic operations when placed vertically. This novel concept of microfluidic technology has significant application value in micro-reaction systems, digital cell culture, lab-on-a-chip, space unmanned laboratories, and other fields.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic chip; FIG. 3 shows driving of linear motion of a microfluid when changing a local topology of a dynamically reconfigurable surface; FIG. 4 shows driving of microfluid merging when changing a local topology of a dynamically reconfigurable surface; FIG. 5 shows driving of microfluid mixing and stirring when changing a local topology of a dynamically reconfigurable surface; FIG. 6 shows driving of microfluid splitting when changing a local topology of a dynamically reconfigurable surface; FIG. 7 shows dynamic reconfiguration of a functional area through changes in patterned surface shape / morphology; and FIG. 8 shows application of periodic external force stimuli to a microfluid when changing a local topology of a dynamically reconfigurable surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The technical solutions in embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present disclosure shall fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0048] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that, in the present disclosure, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," etc. indicate orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are merely for convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be construed as limitations to the present disclosure.

[0049] It can be understood that the term "a / an" should be interpreted as "at least one" or "one or more," i.e., in one embodiment, the number of an element may be one, while in other embodiments, the number of the element may be a plurality. The term "a / an" should not be construed as a limitation on quantity.

[0050] After extensive and in-depth research, the inventor designs a microfluidic system driven by a dynamically reconfigurable deformable surface, including four parts: a microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation, a chip control unit, a microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit, and a programmable control unit. The present disclosure mainly provides a microfluidic chip for driving motion of a microfluid based on deformation of a dynamically reconfigurable surface. A micro-actuator array can be used to change local sizes of workspace in the chip through deformation, thereby inducing capillary forces to achieve self-driven motion and dynamic deformation of the microfluid, and enabling parallel and dynamic execution of multiple microfluidic operations. Patterned deformation of the micro-actuator array enables parallel execution of multiple microfluidic operations (transport, merging, mixing and stirring, splitting, shaking, and compressive deformation), and allows dynamic and real-time change of the microfluidic operation in any area of the chip. The microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit can monitor in real time and provide feedback on the microfluidic operations in the chip, thereby forming closed-loop automated control. Additionally, the microfluidic chip can be placed horizontally or on a non-horizontal plane to perform microfluidic operations, and can even overcome gravitational effects to perform microfluidic operations when placed vertically. This novel concept of microfluidic technology has significant application value in micro-reaction systems, digital cell culture, lab-on-a-chip, space unmanned laboratories, and other fields. Based on this, the present disclosure is completed by the inventor.

[0051] The present disclosure is further illustrated below in combination with specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are merely used for illustrating the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The electronic components, signal converters, and data communication protocols used in the following preparation examples may be adjusted correspondingly according to specific design requirements and array scales. The experimental methods and parameters without specified conditions in the following examples usually follow conventional conditions, the conditions and parameters required in specific implementations and applications, or the conditions recommended by manufacturers. Unless otherwise specified, percentages and parts are calculated by weight.

[0052] In the present disclosure, the symbol "↑" is used to represent an activated micro-actuator unit.

[0053] A method for preparing a microfluidic platform based on a dynamically reconfigurable surface described in the present disclosure mainly includes preparing the dynamically reconfigurable surface, integrating it into a control system, and preparing the programmable microfluidic platform, with the specific preparation processes described in Preparation Examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 below.Preparation Example 1: Preparation of a driving layer that can be patterned and locally driven

[0054] A resistor array for a stimulus source array, with 14 rows and 20 columns and a 1.2 mm spacing between rows and columns, is designed using PCB design software. Each resistor in the resistor array is a 0201 package chip resistor with a specification of 1,000 Ω. One terminal of each resistor is led out independently, connected to an FPC / FFC via an FPC / FFC connector, and then connected to a chip control unit. The other terminal of each resistor is commonly wired, led out, and connected to a control system. A PCB is manufactured by a PCB manufacturer.Preparation Example 2: Preparation of a microfluidic chip

[0055] Monomers are mixed at a molar ratio of RM257:DODT of 1.67:1 and DODT:PETMP of 3:1, a graphene mass ratio of 1.5%, and a monomer ratio of carbon-carbon double bonds to thiol groups of 1 to 1, dissolved in toluene, and ultrasonically dispersed for 10 min, 0.5 wt% of DPA as a catalyst and 6 wt% of XYS-4522 as a surfactant are added in a mixed solution, the mixed solution is heated to 80 °C and dissolved with shaking, a precursor solution is placed in a mold, the mold is vacuumized in a vacuum dryer for 10-15 s such that the mold is filled with the precursor solution, and a reaction is performed using a template method at 50°C for 1 h to prepare a liquid crystal elastomer micropillar array with a diameter of 0.6 mm and a height of 1.2 mm, where the array has 14 rows and 20 columns, with a 1.2 mm spacing between rows and columns; then, the array is removed from the mold and transferred to a glass slide, excess liquid crystal elastomers are cut off for later use, pre-crosslinking is performed for a total of 3 h, liquid crystal elastomer micropillars with a spacing of 0.75 mm are pressed with another glass slide, and secondary crosslinking is completed, where curing time for the secondary crosslinking is 48 h.

[0056] On a driving layer with the addressable resistor array obtained from Preparation Example 1, the liquid crystal elastomer micropillar array, an epoxy resin micropillar array (with a height of 2 mm and a diameter of 0.6 mm), and a PDMS diaphragm layer (50 µm) are sequentially assembled using UV adhesive and silicone rubber adhesive to obtain the microfluidic chip.Preparation Example 3: Preparation of a chip control unit

[0057] According to the scale of the driving layer involved in Preparation Example 1, the design principle of the chip control unit is to provide 14×20 (a total of 280) electronic switches. Here, 18 MC33996 low-side switch chips are used to provide 280 OUTPUT interfaces to independently control 280 chip resistors on the addressable stimulus source array. 18 electronic switches are equally divided into two parts, which are controlled by two signal converters BUS ADAPTOR via an SPI communication protocol.

[0058] All the switch chips are mounted on the designed PCB, with 280 OUTPUT interfaces led out. The PCB is manufactured by the PCB manufacturer.Preparation Example 4: Preparation of a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system

[0059] The microfluidic chip and the chip control unit obtained from Preparation Examples 2 and 3 are connected using an FPC / FFC, and then the chip control unit and a programmable control unit (a computer is used in this preparation example) are connected via a USB for data communication. The entire system is powered by an external direct-current regulated power supply.Embodiment 1: Control of motion of a microfluid by a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system

[0060] The dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system prepared in Preparation Example 2 is placed on a horizontal desktop. A droplet is placed above the diaphragm layer, and a glass slide is placed above as a cover layer to form a workspace. A spacing between the glass slide and the diaphragm layer is 150 µm, and a voltage of the direct-current regulated power supply is 23 V. The programmable control unit controls the diaphragm layer on one side of the droplet to undergo a topological change. A direction of this change follows a straight line set by a program.

[0061] Results show that the asymmetric topological change is generated in the workspace where the droplet is located, and the droplet is driven by capillary forces to move in the direction of the topological change. In this embodiment, the droplet moves along a straight line. A motion process is shown in FIG. 3.Embodiment 2: Control of microfluid merging by a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system

[0062] The experiment in Embodiment 1 is repeated, with the difference that two water droplets are placed at different positions on the diaphragm layer. The diaphragm layer on one side of each droplet is controlled to undergo a topological change via the program, and a position of this topological change is oriented toward the direction of the other droplet.

[0063] Results show that the two droplets move toward each other and converge. A motion process is as shown in FIG. 4.Embodiment 3: Control of microfluid mixing and stirring by a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system

[0064] The experiment in Embodiment 1 is repeated, with the difference that the position of the deforming droplet changes cyclically on either side of the droplet center , the right side of the droplet, the center of the droplet, and the left side of the droplet. Meanwhile, to observe changes in the internal flow field of the droplet, PS microspheres are added in the droplet for easy observation.

[0065] Results show that the droplet changes the internal flow field in a process of moving left and right. The PS microspheres are stirred to achieve a liquid mixing and stirring effect. A motion process is shown in FIG. 5.Embodiment 4: Control of microfluid splitting by a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system

[0066] The experiment in Embodiment 1 is repeated, with the difference that the topological change in the center of the original droplet is maintained until droplet splitting is completed. During this period, a local topological change is generated on one side of the droplet, and a part with the local topological change gradually moves away from the original droplet over time until the original droplet is split into two droplets.

[0067] The experiment shows that the original droplet remains fixed at its original position, and another droplet is pulled out from the original position until the droplet is broken off to generate a new droplet. The motion process is shown in FIG. 6.Embodiment 5: Parallel control of microdroplets and dynamic reconfiguration of a functional area by a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system

[0068] The experiment in Embodiment 1 is repeated, with the difference that a position configuration 1 of the functional area is customized through the programmable control unit, and a configuration 2 of the functional area is re-customized at the end position of a previous task.

[0069] The experiment shows that after completing tasks of droplet movement, merging, splitting, stirring, and shaking in the configuration 1, tasks of droplet movement, merging, splitting, stirring, and shaking in the configuration 2 can be completed directly at the original position without moving the droplet. A motion process is shown in FIG. 7.Embodiment 6: Control of a microdroplet to undergo periodic external force and deformation by a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system

[0070] The experiment in Embodiment 1 is repeated, with the difference that the position of the topological change of the droplet is the center of the droplet, and the time for maintaining the topological change is adjusted according to a required frequency.

[0071] Results show that the droplet undergoes external forces and compressive deformation during periodic topological changes. A motion process is shown in FIG. 8.

[0072] The present disclosure is not limited to the above preferred embodiments, and anyone can derive various other forms of products under the inspiration of the present disclosure. Regardless of any changes in shape or structure, any technical solution identical or similar to that of this application falls within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system, comprising: a microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation and a chip control unit that are communicatively connected in sequence, wherein the microfluidic chip based on surface topography deformation comprises a driving layer, a deformation execution layer, a diaphragm layer, and a cover layer that are arranged sequentially from bottom to top, the diaphragm layer and the cover layer are spaced apart to form a workspace, microdroplets are placed in the workspace, the diaphragm layer is bonded to the deformation execution layer by chemical or physical means, the driving layer is an addressable stimulus source array, the deformation execution layer is an actuator array, and the chip control unit controls a stimulus source unit on the driving layer to stimulate the deformation execution layer to generate a stimuli-responsive deformation such that the diaphragm layer is driven to produce a change in surface shape / morphology, thereby changing local sizes of the workspace, and inducing capillary forces to achieve self-driven motion and dynamic deformation of the microfluid.

2. The dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 1, wherein a spacing of 0-2,000 µm exists between the cover layer and the diaphragm layer, and the workspace is filled with a dispersion and protective medium for the controlled microfluid.

3. The dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 1, wherein one side or both sides of each of planes on two sides of the workspace are dynamically reconfigurable surfaces, and when one side of each of the planes on the two sides of the workspace is the dynamically reconfigurable surface, the dynamically reconfigurable surface is the diaphragm layer, and a material of the other plane is one of a metallic material, an inorganic non-metallic material, a polymer material, or a composite material.

4. The dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 1, wherein a microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit and / or a programmable control unit communicates with the chip control unit, the microfluidic monitoring and feedback unit monitors a state of the microfluid in the workspace, and the programmable control unit controls the chip control unit.

5. The dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 1, wherein the deformation execution layer is prepared from a stimuli-responsive deformation material that produces a change in length, volume, or bending angle under external physical or chemical stimuli, and an addressable control stimulus source is selected from one or more of light, electricity, temperature, humidity, or a chemical stimulus.

6. The dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 1, wherein the microfluids comprise silicone oil, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, water, isopropanol, toluene, pentane, octane, cyclohexanone, ether, propylene oxide, methyl butanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, acetonitrile, pyridine, a gas-liquid fluid, an emulsion, a gas-solid fluid, gasoline, a biochemical liquid, a salt solution, an electronic fluorinated liquid, and a mixed liquid thereof.

7. The dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 1, wherein a volume range of the microfluid is 0.1 pL to 10 mL.

8. An application method for a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system for controlling the microfluid in the dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is controlled, wherein the method comprises: placing the microfluid in the workspace, controlling, by the chip control unit, each stimulus source unit on the driving layer of the chip based on surface topography deformation, stimulating, by the driving layer, the deformation execution layer of the chip to generate a stimuli-responsive deformation which then drives the diaphragm layer to produce a surface topography, and dynamically adjusting a driving direction and a driving speed of the microfluid in real time by controlling a position of a reconfiguration point and time when a topological change occurs in the diaphragm layer.

9. The application method for a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 8, wherein an angle range of the driving direction on the plane of the workspace is 0-360°, and a range of the driving speed is 0-1 m / s.

10. The application method for a dynamically reconfigurable and programmable microfluidic system according to claim 8, wherein multiple microfluidic operations are executed in parallel in different working areas of the workspace of the microfluidic chip, and the microfluidic operation in any working area is dynamically changed in real time.

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