Electrified lab on disc systems: A comprehensive review on electrokinetic applications

Many advanced microfluidic Lab-on-disc (LOD) devices require an on-board power supply for powering active components. LODs with an on-board electrical power supply are called electrified-LODs (eLODs) and are the subject of the present review. This survey comprises two main parts. First, we discuss the different means of delivering electrical energy to a spinning disc including slip-ring, wireless power transmission, and on-board power supply. In the second part, we focus on utilizing electrical power on eLODs for three electrokinetic microfluidic processes: electrophoresis, electroosmotic flow, and dielectrophoresis. Electrokinetic phenomena enable propulsion, separation, and manipulation of different fluids and various types of microparticles/cells. We summarize the theoretical and experimental results for all three electrokinetic phenomena enacted on centrifugal platforms. While extensive numerical modeling and experimental research are available for electrokinetics on stationary platforms, there is a noticeable lack of development in this area when executed on rotating platforms. The review concludes by comparing the strengths and weaknesses of different electrokinetic techniques imple-mented on centrifugal platforms, and additionally, the most promising applications of electrokinetic-assisted eLOD devices are singled out.

Automated summary

This review introduces the on-board power supply and electrokinetic applications of electrified-LOD (eLOD) devices. By utilizing electrokinetic phenomena, different microfluids can be propelled, separated, and manipulated. While extensive research exists on stationary platforms, the applications on rotating platforms are still underdeveloped.