Actuation of sessile droplets using surface acoustic wave

Abstract

In recent years, the high intensity surface acoustic wave (SAW) generated by interdigital transducers (IDT) patterned on surfaces the of a piezoelectric substrate had been reported for many applications in chemical and biological processes. One of the major research areas is the research on the effect on microfluidics. In this project, the effect of surface acoustic wave on the actuation of microdroplets is carried out.

This project focuses on the behaviour of microdroplets when subjected to Surface Acoustic Waves on a piezoelectric substrate. The SAW energy is induced onto the substrate which will accentuate a surface wave that will affect the movement of the microdroplets on the microchannel of the substrate. Behaviour of microdroplets under effect of SAW is observed and discussed.

Peak-to-peak sinusoidal voltages and droplet volume were adjusted to understand the relationship between droplet movement and jetting in relation to the wave perpetuated by the amount of voltage input. The results for the different configurations were then discussed and analysed to explain their relationships.