Finger-powered microdroplet generator

`Human-powered´ microdroplet generators are ideal for droplet-based point-of-care diagnostics applications. Here we present a versatile `finger-powered´ microdroplet generator. The prototype system was fabricated via polymer-based micromachining processes. In this work, we have achieved: (1) the use of a human finger as the actuation force for droplet generation, (2) an integrated pumping system for actuating both droplet and solvent fluids simultaneously, and (3) the formation of microdroplets via a T-junction microchannel. During experimental device runs, both the formation of water droplets in oil and oil droplets in water were accomplished using a human finger, resulting in an average droplet size of 120 μm.