Electric field assisted manipulation of microdroplets on a superhydrophobic surface

The efficient manipulation of low-volume droplets offers many potential applications in relation to chemical and biomedical tests and protocols. A novel approach to the manipulation of a microdroplet on a superhydrophobic surface is introduced in the present communication. The microdroplet was first picked up onto a hydrophilic needle, transported from one location to another, and finally released under the action of an electric field force. Three key parameters in this process, the radius of the droplet, the distance between the two electrodes, and the required voltage, were investigated. This study should be helpful for the design of microfluidic devices. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3523472]