Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation

Sharp Life Science (Eu) Limited

Sinéad Matthews

Benjamin James Hadwen

Takeshi Hara

Tomoko Teranishi

Lesley Anne Parry-Jones

Tomohiro Kosaka

Adam Robinson

An EWOD device includes opposing substrates defining a gap and each including an insulating surface facing the gap. Array elements include electrode elements to which actuation voltages are applied. A pre-charging structure defines a channel in fluid communication with the gap wherein the channel receives an input of a fluid reservoir for generation of the liquid droplet, and the pre-charging structure includes an electrical element electrically exposed to the channel. The electrical element pre-charges the fluid reservoir within the channel, and a portion of the gap containing the liquid droplet spaced apart from the channel is electrically isolated from the electrical element such that the liquid droplet is at a floating electrical potential when located within said portion of the gap. The electrical element may be an electrode portion that is exposed to the channel, or an externally connected pre-charging element inserted into the channel.

Microfluidic device with droplet pre-charge on input

Growing community of inventors

Oxford, United Kingdom

Sinéad Matthews