Electrowetting-based valve for the control of the capillary flow

The behavior of a microfluidic device based on transport by capillary action and control by direct electrowetting was examined by changing the device parameters. The device was constructed with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate with a flow channel and a glass substrate with electrodes to control electrowetting. The microfluidic transport and valve action could be explained by Washburn's model, which suggests that the model can be used for designing such a device. The device could be used for the timely delivery of a solution into many flow channels as well as for the mixing of solutions. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.