This monograph presents the most recent developments and trends in droplet behavior in microsystems, with a special focus on digital (planar) microfluidics. There is an emphasis on theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches to the subject. Topics include a discussion of how capillary forces act on liquid interfaces in contact with micro-fabricated surfaces; analyses of how droplets can be manipulated, handled, or transported by using electric fields (electrowetting), acoustic actuation (surface acoustic waves), or by a carrier liquid (microflow); a fresh perspective on the future of microfluidics; and much more.

From the Preface: “This book deals with the physics of micro-drops and its application to micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), especially digital microfluidics systems, and to some extent to droplet microfluidics. Many of the physical principles on which this book is based have not been recently discovered; they were stated between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century...However, all these theories have been recently subject to new attention and increasing interest with the development of microfluidics. This development has been first promoted by the generalization of inkjet printing and, to some extent, by the space industry...”

Target Audience: Engineers and scientists concerned with biotechnology, nanotechnology, MEMS, and pharmaceuticals; upper-level students of physics and biotechnology.

Table of Contents:

Digital Microfluidics in Today's Microfluidics

Theory of Wetting

The Physics of Droplets

Electrowetting Theory

EWOD Microsystems

Biological Applications of EWOD

Chemical Applications

Acoustic Methods for Manipulating Droplets

Introduction to Droplet Microfluidics and Multiphase Microflows

Epilog

Index