A novel microdroplet cassette for biochemical screening

We propose a lab-on-a-chip screening cassette which generates an array of droplets in oil and greatly simplifies conventional screening techniques. A unique droplet generation method is introduced which forms precision droplets under static conditions. Drop sizes and locations are pre-programmed by the geometric configuration of the cassette and no external flow control is required. The microfluidic device is initially fabricated on PDMS, and then transferred directly on printed circuit boards for electrical sensing. The crystallization event in each droplet chamber is monitored by electrodes measuring conductivity across each droplet. Automated triggering circuit can flag crystallization sites with a digital report to listening computers.