About

Motivation for the eDroplets project.

Purpose

eDroplets is part of a larger effort to establish a digital microfluidics ecosystem. This project aims to create a web platform for customers to connect with foundries regarding the creation of digital microfluidics tools.

Problem Statement

The current issue is that there is a disparity between microfluidics device use and microfluidics device fabrication. It is relatively simple to use the devices, but hard to fabricate them.

There is not a simple way to fabricate custom microfluidics chips

Our goal is to make fabrication easier and more accessible.

Solution

We will offer custom chip fabrication to customers. For example, the customer creates and brings their chip design. Then they place an order through eDroplets for foundry fabrication. We then facilitate fabrication for them.

We also plan to offer other digital microfludics tools such as prebuilt chips and control systems.

To achieve this foundry service workflow, we will be focusing on the following

1. User account management

2. Mask file management (file upload, download, assignment, organized storage)

3. Secure order system (secure checkout gateway with Shopify API, order system integration with Shopify order system)

In 2023, we also began work on a community site to further enhance a microfluidics ecosystem by providing a space for users to share microfluidics designs, discuss potential applications, and converse about anything microfluidics related.

This community site has two main components

1. Projects sharing (upload project files, share documentation and code similar to GitHub)

2. Forum pages (facilitate user interaction, seek help and ask questions, collaborate on research)