In-line characterization and identification of micro-droplets on-chip

• Authors: Emanuel Weber , Dietmar Puchberger-Enengl , Franz Keplinger , Michael J. Vellekoop
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

We present an integrated optofluidic sensor system for in-line characterization of micro-droplets. The device provides information about the droplet generation frequency, the droplet volume, and the content of the droplet. Due to its simplicity this principle can easily be implemented with other microfluidic components on one and the same device. The sensor is based on total internal reflection phenomena. Droplets are pushed through a microfluidic channel which is hit by slightly diverging monochromatic light. At the solid-liquid interface parts of the rays experience total internal reflection while another part is transmitted. The ratio of reflected to transmitted light depends on the refractive index of the solution. Both signals are recorded simultaneously and provide a very stable output signal for the droplet characterization. With the proposed system passing droplets were counted up to 320 droplets per second and droplets with different volumes could be discriminated. In a final experiment droplets with different amounts of dissolved CaCl2 were distinguished based on their reflected and transmitted light pattern. This principle can be applied for the detection of any molecules in microdroplets which significantly influence the refractive index of the buffer solution.

Keywords

EN

micro droplets; partial total internal reflection; refractive index; optofluidics

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Optofluidics, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 1

Dates

published

1 - 1 - 2014

online

25 - 6 - 2013

accepted

26 - 4 - 2013

received

8 - 4 - 2013

Contributors

author

Emanuel Weber

• Institute for Microsensors, -actuators, and -systems (IMSAS), MCB, University of Bremen Otto-Hahn-Allee, Build. NW1, 28359 Bremen, Germany

author

Dietmar Puchberger-Enengl

• Institute of Sensor and Actuator Systems (ISAS), Vienna University of Technology Gusshausstrasse 27-29, 1040 Vienna, Austria

author

Franz Keplinger

• Institute of Sensor and Actuator Systems (ISAS), Vienna University of Technology Gusshausstrasse 27-29, 1040 Vienna, Austria

author

Michael J. Vellekoop

• Institute for Microsensors, -actuators, and -systems (IMSAS), MCB, University of Bremen Otto-Hahn-Allee, Build. NW1, 28359 Bremen, Germany

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/optof-2013-0002