Micro-fluidic Substrate Auxiliary Electrodes Gap Field Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-fluidic technologies face challenges in ensuring continuous droplet movement due to gap spaces between driving electrodes, which can lead to incomplete electric field formation and reduced control over droplet movement.
Innovation Solution
A micro-fluidic substrate with driving electrodes in the same layer and auxiliary electrodes in a different layer, positioned within the gap spaces to enhance electric field formation and improve droplet control, is introduced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If driving electrodes are arranged in the same layer with gap spaces between adjacent electrodes, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electric field formation is incomplete and droplet movement control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces auxiliary electrodes in a different layer (second layer) to complement the driving electrodes in the first layer. This multi-layer configuration fills the gap spaces between adjacent driving electrodes, ensuring continuous electric field formation without compromising the simplicity of the single-layer driving electrode arrangement. The auxiliary electrodes are positioned at the gap spaces and overlap with the driving electrodes in the projection, creating a complete electric field coverage while maintaining manufacturing ease.
2Device complexity
If gap spaces are left between adjacent driving electrodes, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but spaces are created where driving electric field cannot be formed
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary electrodes are nested within the gap spaces between the driving electrodes. The first auxiliary electrodes are disposed in the row gap spaces and the second auxiliary electrodes are disposed in the column gap spaces. This nesting approach fills the previously empty gap spaces with auxiliary electrodes that generate the necessary electric field, ensuring complete coverage without adding significant structural complexity to the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary electrodes act as intermediaries to bridge the gap between adjacent driving electrodes. By positioning auxiliary electrodes at the gap spaces and applying voltage to them, the patent creates continuous electric field pathways that connect the driving electrodes, eliminating the dead zones where electric field was previously absent while maintaining the simplicity of the driving electrode arrangement.
3Reliability
If auxiliary electrodes are added in different layers to fill gap spaces, then electric field formation is improved and droplet control is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode system into two functional parts: driving electrodes in the first layer for primary droplet actuation and auxiliary electrodes in the second layer for filling gap spaces and enhancing field continuity. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall device manageability. The auxiliary electrodes are further segmented into first auxiliary electrodes for row gap spaces and second auxiliary electrodes for column gap spaces, providing systematic coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables more precise and continuous control over droplet movement by eliminating spaces where the driving electric field cannot be formed, thus enhancing the efficiency of micro total analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of driving electrodes on the substrate and configured to drive a droplet to move
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a micro-fluidic substrate, a micro-fluidic structure and a driving method thereof. The micro-fluidic substrate of the preset disclosure includes a substrate, and a plurality of driving electrodes on the substrate and configured to drive a droplet to move, the plurality of driving electrodes being in a same layer with a gap space between adjacent driving electrodes. The micro-fluidic substrate further includes: at least one auxiliary electrode on the substrate and configured to drive the droplet to move, an orthographic projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate at least partially overlapping with an orthographic projection of the gap space on the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode and the driving electrodes being in different layers.