Electrowetting-based microdrop tensiometer

We performed electrowetting (EW) contact angle measurements to determine the interfacial tension between aqueous drops laden with various inorganic and organic solutes and various ambient oils. Using low frequency AC voltage, we obtained interfacial tensions from 5 to 72 mJ/m(2), in close agreement with macroscopic tensiometry for drop volumes between 20 and 2000 nL. In addition to the conventional EW geometry, we demonstrate the possibility of performing contact-less measurements without any loss of accuracy using interdigitated coplanar electrodes.