Multi-Level Droplet Routing in Active-Matrix Based Digital-Microfluidic Biochips

Abstract

Active-Matrix (AM) technology is currently being used to implement a superior class of EWOD-based biochips, which consist of a dense 2D-array of microelectrodes. These chips offer many advantages over conventional biochips such as the capability of handling variable-size droplets, more flexibility in droplet movement, precise control over droplet navigation, and as a sequel, ease of implementing complex bioprotocols on-chip. However, the new technology poses a number of challenges concerning droplet routing. In order to enhance routability, we propose, in this paper, a multi-level hierarchical approach that takes appropriate decisions on droplet splitting and reshaping. Compared to the most recent routing methods used for EWOD, the proposed multi-level router reduces maximum latest-arrivaltime by an average 18% and achieves 7% less average latest-arrival-time.