Rapid mixing of sub-microlitre drops by magnetic micro-stirring.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 21842085.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1039/c1lc20354a and PMC identifier 3278472.
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Abstract
We demonstrate rapid mixing of sub-microlitre droplets (250 nl) using miniaturized magnetic stir bars (400 μm × 200 μm × 15 μm). The stir bars are fabricated using laser micromachining and placed on the substrate on which the drops are manipulated. They are activated by an externally applied magnetic field and used in combination with on-demand drop merging in enthalpy arrays. This technique results in a 10-fold increase in mixing rate, and a mixing time constant of about 2 s. Drop mixing times are measured by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and verified by thermodynamic measurements of binding and enzymatic reactions.
Medical subject headings
- Magnetics
- Microfluidic Analytical Techniques