Hiroaki Suzuki
University of Tsukuba
Japan
Title: Electrochemical autonomous microfluidic devices for analytical applications
Biography
Biography: Hiroaki Suzuki
Abstract
Miniaturization of analytical devices has advanced remarkably over the last two decades. We have developed various microfluidic components to be used for this purpose. To realize smart user-friendly portable devices, microfluidics based on capillary action controlled by active valves is attractive. To realize simple active valves that facilitate integration, electrowetting is attractive. A simple hydrophobic valve can be created by forming a gold electrode in a flow channel structure made from hydrophilic glass and hydrophobic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). A solution that moves by capillary action stops at the valve. The valve is opened upon the application of a potential to the electrode to change its wettability. Alternatively, a platinum electrode with a hydrophobic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of alkane thiolate can be used as a valve. At an appropriate potential, the SAM is dissociated reductively, and the hydrophilic platinum surface is exposed. The electrochemical valves can be opened autonomously by wetting a zinc part formed in the other controlling flow channel and changing the mixed potential. Autonomous injection mechanisms or microfluidic display can be realized. Precise control of the timing for switching can be implemented by using an array of controlling flow channels. Furthermore, the autonomous mechanisms can also be used with other microfluidic components for programmed multiplexed processing of solutions in sophisticated analytical devices.