DropBot

DropBot Basic Data Category: Construction elevators URL (first publication): http://microfluidics.utoronto.ca/dropbot/ Project status: Technical documentation Maturity of the project: no no no Other Assembly instructions are editable: Bill of materials is editable: Design files are in original format: No Free redistribution is allowed licence: No Project management Open-o-meter: 0 Product category: Business & Industrial Contains original non-electronic hardware: Contains original electronic hardware: Contains original software:

Description

The DropBot system is described in detail in . If you use this information in work that you publish, please cite as appropriate.

DropBot is an open-source Digital Microfluidic (DMF) automation system developed in the . It can be used to manipulate discrete droplets on the surface of an array of electrodes coated with a hydrophobic insulator. DMF has in the fields of biology and chemistry, including diagnostics, cell-based assays, and chemical synthesis. The DropBot features a modular and extensible design, an intuitive user interface, and is capable of driving up to 120 independent channels. It also provides dynamic impedance sensing which enables closed-loop control and real-time measurement of:

• drop position
• instantaneous drop velocity
• electrostatic driving force

Check out the recent entry in .

System overview

DropBot is built around an -based instrument and is controlled by a custom software interface called . Users can activate/deactivate electrodes on the DMF device by clicking their mouse on the webcam video overlay, providing an intuitive interface with real-time visual feedback. Sequences of actuation steps can be pre-programmed and run automatically, enabling fully automated operation. The system is designed as a loosely-coupled set of modules, which means that it is relatively easy to extend the hardware and/or software capabilities.

Open-source

All components are open-source, subject to the (software code) or (hardware designs), meaning you are free to .

Get involved

If you have any comments or questions, or would like to collaborate on the development of this project, please join the . For announcements concerning future releases/updates, join the or to receive email updates from our ticket tracker, subscribe to the .

Videos

Real-time control and velocity measurements

Demonstration of real-time drop control and protocol programming. This video also highlights the systems ability to measure drop velocity from electrical impedance.

Automated protocol with video overlay

Video showing an automated protocol with drop dispensing, merging, mixing and splitting.

Software

Microdrop software

is the graphical user interface for the DropBot DMF automation system.

Control board software

The control board software consists of firmware, a module for communicating over a serial connection, and a plugin for the application.

Hardware

All hardware designs can be viewed or edited using or .

Control board

Signal generator board

High-voltage switching board

Pogo pin connector board

Device connector

DropBot case

DropBots in the wild

Here’s a map of all of the (both up and running and those being built). If you are building a system, add a wiki page or link to another webpage/blog to document your progress. Email ryan(dot)fobel(at)utoronto(dot)ca if you want to add a pin to the map.

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Public cad repository for non-electronic hardware
Public cad repository for electronic hardware
Public code repository
Assembly instructions
Bill of materials
Contributing guide
Link github