Application Cases

Experiment Name: System Integration of Microfluidic Chips

Test Equipment: ATA-2161 High-Voltage Amplifier, Signal Generator, Vector Network Analyzer, Computer, etc.

Experimental Process:

Figure 1: System integration scheme for droplet generation, LC passive wireless detection, and dielectrophoretic sorting in a microfluidic chip

To test and validate the functions of droplet generation, LC passive wireless detection, and sorting in the microfluidic chip, a system integration centered around these functionalities was implemented. The experimental setup and system integration scheme are shown in Figure 2. The microfluidic chip was secured using screws onto a custom 3D-printed base to ensure its position remained fixed during experiments. An external readout coil node with a PCB was fixed to a Z-axis controller (adjustment accuracy: 0.01 mm) for fine-tuning the vertical distance between the readout coil node and the planar square coil in the sensor node. The entire setup was placed on a microscope stage, and a camera mounted above the microscope was connected to a computer via a USB interface for real-time observation and recording of the microfluidic chip.

For the droplet sorting part, dielectrophoresis (DEP) was employed for active droplet sorting. The four sorting electrodes on both sides were first filled with 5 M NaCl solution using a syringe. Then, one side of the sorting electrodes was sealed with solid PTFE to prevent evaporation due to prolonged exposure to air. The other side was connected to two ATA-2161 high-voltage amplifiers using solid copper wires matching the aperture size. The inputs of the two high-voltage amplifiers were connected to Channel 1 and Channel 2 of the signal generator via coaxial cables, enabling independent amplification of the output signals from the two channels of the signal generator. The signal generator communicated with the computer via USB to respond to control signals sent from the computer.

Figure 2: Physical image of the integrated system for droplet generation, sorting, and LC passive wireless detection in the microfluidic chip

Experimental Results:

A peripheral system and corresponding graphical user interface (GUI) were established for the application of the microfluidic chip in droplet generation, LC passive wireless detection, and dielectrophoretic sorting. This chapter lays the foundation for the practical implementation of the microfluidic chip in droplet generation, sorting, and LC passive wireless detection.

High-Voltage Amplifier Recommendation: ATA-2161

Figure: ATA-2161 High-Voltage Amplifier Specifications

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