Accurate Magneto-Driven Multi-Dimensional Droplet Manipulation

Droplet manipulation has gradually drawn worldwide attention through diverse potential applications such as microfluidics, and medical diagnostic test. Whereas, the high-precision liquid manipulation on an open surface that is under control at will is still a huge challenge, especially in 3D. Herein, the novel magnetic micropillars array (MMA) is developed for multi-dimensional droplet manipulation, depending on huge symmetric bending deformation under the low magnetic field. In situ observation demonstrated the droplet's behavior and the driving force acted on the droplet is derived from these micropillar's deformation. Two modes, that are, propelling mode and rolling mode are found in horizontal transport that determined by the relative position of crest and droplets and can be transported with excellent accuracy and rapidity. The recombination of the contact liquid between droplets and micropillars occurs in swinging to dynamically adjust the length of the three-phase contact line, which is the main reason for capture-release behavior. Theoretical models of multi-dimensional droplet manipulation are systematically established to demonstrate the underlying mechanism. Finally, several MMA-based operating platforms are built to validate its feasibility in accurate 3D droplet manipulation and exhibit great potential in chemical micro-reactions, bioassays, and the medical field.