US 11,946,901 B2
Method for degassing liquid droplets by electrical actuation at higher temperatures
Tanya Gupta, Acton, MA (US); Luke M. Slominski, Sharon, MA (US); David Zhitomirsky, Woburn, MA (US); and Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Framingham, MA (US)
Assigned to Nuclera LTD, Cambridge (GB)
Filed by Nuclera Ltd, Cambridge (GB)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/156,729.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/966,162, filed on Jan. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0231606 A1, Jul. 29, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 27/447 (2006.01); B01D 19/00 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 27/44704 (2013.01) [B01D 19/0063 (2013.01); B01D 19/0073 (2013.01); B01L 3/502715 (2013.01); G01N 27/44791 (2013.01); B01L 2300/18 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for degassing a microfluidic droplet, the method comprising:
(i) receiving a droplet in a microfluidic region of a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising:
a bottom plate comprising a plurality of electrodes operatively coupled to a set of switches, and including a bottom hydrophobic layer covering the plurality of electrodes;
a top plate comprising a top electrode and a top hydrophobic layer covering the top electrode;
a spacer separating the top and bottom plates and creating a microfluidic region between the top plate and bottom plate;
a controller operatively coupled to the set of switches and configured to provide an actuation voltage to at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, and
a heating element configured to provide thermal energy to at least a portion of the microfluidic region;
(ii) actuating at least one of the plurality of electrodes and directing thermal energy from the heating element to the microfluidic region, to subject the droplet to combined electrowetting and heating, wherein the combined action of electrowetting and heating induces formation of gaseous bubbles in the droplet; and
(iii) moving the droplet along an electrode path in the microfluidic region in a first direction to detach the gaseous bubbles from the droplet.