Electrostatic Modeling of EWOD-actuated Microdroplets
Patrick Young
Applied Mathematics
Two primary methods for electrostatically actuating microdroplets in channels currently exist: Dielectrophoresis (DEP) for electrically insulating liquids, and electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) for conducting fluids. In each case, a transverse electric field is used to create an electrostatic pressure for transporting individual liquid slugs. The effects of system parameters such as dielectric constant, dielectric thickness, contact angle and channel height on the shape of the force density and its net intergral are considered. I will cover the basics of electrowetting and present some of my summer research on this subject.