Eur. Phys. J. E (2016) 39: 16
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2016-16016-7

Regular Article

Two-phase microfluidic flow modeling in an electrowetting display microwell

¹ Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
² Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China

^* e-mail: ybxie@nwpu.edu.cn
^** e-mail: shuill@m.scnu.edu.cn

Received: 15 July 2015
Revised: 27 August 2015
Accepted: 8 October 2015
Published online: 25 February 2016

Abstract

Digital microfluidics provides precise control of a single microdroplet, producing more opportunities for bio-molecule studies, chemical reaction and optofluidics applications. By manipulating the surface of droplets, light can be focused, scattered, or reflected toward different positions. We build a model of electro-responsive optical microfluidic system, operated based on the electrowetting mechanism, which can split or push droplets moving within a microwell. The initial close state and operated open state in a single microwell displays the color of a dye oil droplet and the substrate, respectively, represented as the dark and bright pixel in the display board. Our results indicate that the microdroplets interface could be successfully deformed and moved towards different directions within a short period of time.