A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system

Abstract Digital microfluidic (DMF) technology is widely used in bioanalysis and chemical reactions due to its accuracy and flexibility in manipulating droplets. However, most DMF systems usually rely on complex electrode fabrication and high driving voltages. Sensor integration in DMF systems is al...

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Main Authors: Yong Zhao, Shuyue Jiang, Gaozhe Cai, Lihua Wang, Jianlong Zhao, Shilun Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:Microsystems & Nanoengineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-025-00914-6
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author Yong Zhao
Shuyue Jiang
Gaozhe Cai
Lihua Wang
Jianlong Zhao
Shilun Feng
author_facet Yong Zhao
Shuyue Jiang
Gaozhe Cai
Lihua Wang
Jianlong Zhao
Shilun Feng
author_sort Yong Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Digital microfluidic (DMF) technology is widely used in bioanalysis and chemical reactions due to its accuracy and flexibility in manipulating droplets. However, most DMF systems usually rely on complex electrode fabrication and high driving voltages. Sensor integration in DMF systems is also quite rare. In this study, a programmable magnetic digital microfluidic (PMDMF) platform integrated with electrochemical detection system was proposed. It enables non-contact, flexible droplet manipulation without complex processes and high voltages, meeting the requirements of automated electrochemical detection. The platform includes a magnetic control system, a microfluidic chip, and an electrochemical detection system. The magnetic control system consists of a microcoil array circuit board, a N52 permanent magnet, and an Arduino control module. N52 magnets generate localized magnetic fields to drive droplet movement, while the Arduino module enables programmable control for precise manipulation. The maximum average velocity of the droplet is about 3.9 cm/s. The microfluidic chip was fabricated using 3D printing and the superhydrophobic surface of chip was fabricated by spray coating. The electrochemical detection system consists of the MoS2@CeO2/PVA working electrode, Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and carbon counter electrode. To evaluate the practical value of the integrated platform, glucose in sweat was automatically and accurately detected. The proposed platform has a wide linear detection range (0.01–0.25 mM), a lower LOD (6.5 μM), a superior sensitivity (7833.54 μA·mM−1·cm−2), and excellent recovery rate (88.1–113.5%). It has an extensive potential for future application in the fields of medical diagnostics and point-of-care testing.
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spelling doaj-art-9274f112a79d48ecbf474c86bc9781bd2025-08-20T03:48:02ZengNature Publishing GroupMicrosystems & Nanoengineering2055-74342025-05-0111111210.1038/s41378-025-00914-6A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection systemYong Zhao0Shuyue Jiang1Gaozhe Cai2Lihua Wang3Jianlong Zhao4Shilun Feng5State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesSchool of Microelectronics, Shanghai UniversityInstitute of Materiobiology, College of Science, Shanghai UniversityState Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Digital microfluidic (DMF) technology is widely used in bioanalysis and chemical reactions due to its accuracy and flexibility in manipulating droplets. However, most DMF systems usually rely on complex electrode fabrication and high driving voltages. Sensor integration in DMF systems is also quite rare. In this study, a programmable magnetic digital microfluidic (PMDMF) platform integrated with electrochemical detection system was proposed. It enables non-contact, flexible droplet manipulation without complex processes and high voltages, meeting the requirements of automated electrochemical detection. The platform includes a magnetic control system, a microfluidic chip, and an electrochemical detection system. The magnetic control system consists of a microcoil array circuit board, a N52 permanent magnet, and an Arduino control module. N52 magnets generate localized magnetic fields to drive droplet movement, while the Arduino module enables programmable control for precise manipulation. The maximum average velocity of the droplet is about 3.9 cm/s. The microfluidic chip was fabricated using 3D printing and the superhydrophobic surface of chip was fabricated by spray coating. The electrochemical detection system consists of the MoS2@CeO2/PVA working electrode, Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and carbon counter electrode. To evaluate the practical value of the integrated platform, glucose in sweat was automatically and accurately detected. The proposed platform has a wide linear detection range (0.01–0.25 mM), a lower LOD (6.5 μM), a superior sensitivity (7833.54 μA·mM−1·cm−2), and excellent recovery rate (88.1–113.5%). It has an extensive potential for future application in the fields of medical diagnostics and point-of-care testing.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-025-00914-6
spellingShingle Yong Zhao
Shuyue Jiang
Gaozhe Cai
Lihua Wang
Jianlong Zhao
Shilun Feng
A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
title A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system
title_full A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system
title_fullStr A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system
title_full_unstemmed A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system
title_short A programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system
title_sort programmable magnetic digital microfluidic platform integrated with electrochemical detection system
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-025-00914-6
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