Abstract: Provided herein is a method for measuring the properties of biomolecules by measuring the diffusion within a merged droplet on a microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method for moving an aqueous droplet comprising providing an electrokinetic device including a first substrate having a matrix of electrodes, wherein each of the matrix electrodes is coupled to a thin film transistor, and wherein the matrix electrodes are overcoated with a functional coating comprising: a dielectric layer in contact with the matrix electrodes, a conformal layer in contact with the dielectric layer, and a hydrophobic layer in contact with the conformal layer; a second substrate comprising a top electrode; a spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and defining an electrokinetic workspace; and a voltage source operatively coupled to the matrix electrodes. The method further comprises disposing an aqueous droplet on a first matrix electrode; and providing a differential electrical potential between the first matrix electrode and a second matrix electrode with the voltage source, thereby moving the aqueous droplet.

Abstract: A method for moving an aqueous droplet comprising providing an electrokinetic device including a first substrate having a matrix of electrodes, wherein each of the matrix electrodes is coupled to a thin film transistor, and wherein the matrix electrodes are overcoated with a functional coating comprising: a dielectric layer in contact with the matrix electrodes, a conformal layer in contact with the dielectric layer, and a hydrophobic layer in contact with the conformal layer; a second substrate comprising a top electrode; a spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and defining an electrokinetic workspace; and a voltage source operatively coupled to the matrix electrodes. The method further comprises disposing an aqueous droplet on a first matrix electrode; and providing a differential electrical potential between the first matrix electrode and a second matrix electrode with the voltage source, thereby moving the aqueous droplet.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the controlled filling of multiple reservoirs on a microfluidic device with a defined area of fluid, the method comprising: a. providing a device with a plurality of wells connected via entry holes to a substrate bearing a plurality of electrodes; b. filling the device with an aqueous immiscible filler liquid such that the plurality of wells are at least partially filled with the filler liquid; c. loading two or more of the wells with an aqueous liquid which descends in the wells; and d. withdrawing a portion of the filler liquid from the device, thereby drawing the aqueous liquids onto the plurality of electrodes through the entry holes in order to form multiple differently sized volumes of aqueous liquid.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the accurately controlled filling of a reservoir on a microfluidic device with a defined area of fluid.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the controlled filling of multiple reservoirs on a microfluidic device with a defined volume of fluid.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, and compositions for the detection and analysis of biomolecule interactions a microfluidic device. The detection and analysis occurs in aqueous droplets having a first surfactant within an oil layer having a second surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods of loading aqueous reagents into electrowetting devices which are often hydrophobic and therefore problematic to load. Disclosed is a method for moving an aqueous droplet from an inlet port onto an EWoD device by actuating a temporary inlet path.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, and compositions for the real-time detection of protein synthesis. The methods are applicable to monitoring on a microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method for moving an aqueous droplet comprising providing an electrokinetic device including a first substrate having a matrix of electrodes, wherein each of the matrix electrodes is coupled to a thin film transistor, and wherein the matrix electrodes are overcoated with a functional coating comprising: a dielectric layer in contact with the matrix electrodes, a conformal layer in contact with the dielectric layer, and a hydrophobic layer in contact with the conformal layer; a second substrate comprising a top electrode; a spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and defining an electrokinetic workspace; and a voltage source operatively coupled to the matrix electrodes. The method further comprises disposing an aqueous droplet on a first matrix electrode; and providing a differential electrical potential between the first matrix electrode and a second matrix electrode with the voltage source, thereby moving the aqueous droplet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the cell-free expression of peptides or proteins in a liquid filled digital microfluidic device. The droplets having the components required for cell-free protein expression can be manipulated by electrokinesis in order to enhance levels of protein expression in the droplets.

Abstract: A method for moving an aqueous droplet comprising providing an electrokinetic device including a first substrate having a matrix of electrodes, wherein each of the matrix electrodes is coupled to a thin film transistor, and wherein the matrix electrodes are overcoated with a functional coating comprising: a dielectric layer in contact with the matrix electrodes, a conformal layer in contact with the dielectric layer, and a hydrophobic layer in contact with the confornial layer; a second substrate comprising a top electrode; a spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and defining an electrokinetic workspace; and a voltage source operatively coupled to the niatrix electrodes. The method further comprises disposing an aqueous droplet on a first matrix electrode; and providing a differential electrical potential between the first matrix electrode and a second matrix electrode with the voltage source, thereby moving the aqueous droplet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the cell-free expression of peptides or proteins in a liquid filled digital microfluidic device. The droplets having the components required for cell-free protein expression can be manipulated by electrokinesis in order to enhance levels of protein expression in the droplets.

Abstract: A method for moving an aqueous droplet comprising providing an electrokinetic device including a first substrate having a matrix of electrodes, wherein each of the matrix electrodes is coupled to a thin film transistor, and wherein the matrix electrodes are overcoated with a functional coating comprising: a dielectric layer in contact with the matrix electrodes, a conformal layer in contact with the dielectric layer, and a hydrophobic layer in contact with the confornial layer; a second substrate comprising a top electrode; a spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and defining an electrokinetic workspace; and a voltage source operatively coupled to the niatrix electrodes. The method further comprises disposing an aqueous droplet on a first matrix electrode; and providing a differential electrical potential between the first matrix electrode and a second matrix electrode with the voltage source, thereby moving the aqueous droplet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the cell-free expression of peptides or proteins in a liquid filled digital microfluidic device. The droplets having the components required for cell-free protein expression can be manipulated by electrokinesis in order to enhance levels of protein expression in the droplets.

Abstract: A method for fabricating at least one aperture (60, 64) with shaped sidewalls in a layer (52) of a light sensitive photopolymer (54), which method comprises: (i) providing the layer (52) of the photopolymer (54); (ii) providing a mask (56); (iii) exposing the photopolymer (54) to light (58); (iv) utilising the mask (56) to control the intensity of the light (58) falling on the photopolymer (54); and (v) forming the mask (56) such that its control of the intensity of the light (58) falling on the photopolymer (54) causes the aperture (60, 64) to have the shaped sidewalls.