Dielectric droplet manipulations by electropolarization forces

Dielectric droplets are successfully manipulated by electropolarization forces in a parallel plate device, which extends the liquid handling capability of digital microfluidics from merely conductive droplets to dielectric ones. Actuations of silicone oil, decane, and hexadecane droplets in a 150-mum-high gap between parallel plates are demonstrated. Silicone oil droplets of different viscosities, 20 and 50 cSt, are transported and split in various gaps heights, demonstrating the manipulation capabilities of electropolarization forces. The threshold and splitting voltages are measured and compared. Moreover, the relationship between the velocity and driving voltage is studied.