| Institution: | 1. Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, USA;2. Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, USA;1. Kyung Hee University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yongin 446-701, Republic of Korea;2. Living & Air Conditioning R&D Center, LG Electronics, Inc., Seoul 121-791, Republic of Korea;1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China;2. Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, MOE, Thermal Energy Research Institute, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;3. School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK;1. Key Laboratory of Eco-functional Polymer Materials of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China;2. School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China;1. National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China;2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China;3. School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China |
| Abstract: | Point-of-need (PON) diagnostics offer promising methods to gather information relevant to health and safety on-site without the requirement for a fully equipped laboratory. In this review, we discuss how liquid-infused surfaces offer a promising platform to expand the capabilities of PON devices in the areas of biological sample preparation and system integration, providing new methods of controlling the movement of droplets and facilitating detection of biological and chemical compounds contained therein. Modifications to the underlying surface structure can be used to passively control the direction of droplet movement, and the careful selection of responsive solid substrates and/or overlying liquids can allow active control through induced temperature gradients, electrical stimulation, and exposure to magnetic fields. Recent work leveraging other advantages of liquid-infused systems such as ultra-low friction, noncoalescence of droplets, and liquid–liquid patterning has demonstrated the unique ways in which this approach can be used to both enhance current detection methods as well as enable new ones. Together, these recent developments in the manipulation of droplets on liquid-infused surfaces point to their significant potential for furthering the capacity of PON devices for both biological and environmental samples. |
