An investigation into the kinematics of magnetically driven droplets on various (super)hydrophobic surfaces and their application to an automated multi-droplet platform

Magnetic actuation on digital microfluidic (DMF) platforms may provide a low-cost, less cumbersome alternative for droplet manipulation in comparison to other techniques such as electrowetting-on-dielectric. Precise control of droplets in magnetically driven DMF platforms is achieved using a low-friction surface, magnetically susceptible material/droplet(s), and an applied magnetic field. Superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces offer limited friction for aqueous media as defined by their high water contact angles (WCA) (>150°) and low sliding angles (<10°). The low surface friction of such coatings and materials significantly reduces the force required for droplet transport. Here, we present a study that examines several actuation parameters including the effects of particle and particle-free actuation mechanisms, porous and non-porous SH materials, surface chemistry, droplet speed/acceleration, and the presence of surface energy traps (SETs) on droplet kinematics. Automated actuation was performed using an XY linear stepper gantry, which enabled sequential droplet actuation, mixing, and undocking operations to be performed in series. The results of this study are applied to a quantitative fluorescence-based DNA assay in under 2 min. Graphical abstract ᅟ