Algorithms for Sample and Waste-Aware Multiple Concentration Dilution Preparation with Digital Microfluidic Biochips

ABSTRACTA new algorithm for sample and waste-aware multiple concentration dilution (SWMD) preparation with a digital microfluidic biochip or lab-on-chip is reported in this paper. Samples and reagents used in many biochemical protocols are often found to be expensive, and hence, their usage should be reduced as much as possible. The proposed method utilizes waste recycling, which leads to minimization of sample as well as waste droplets while generating different series of multi-gradient target concentration factors (CFs). The algorithm is compared with recent dilution techniques such as MTC, REMIA, and WARA. Simulation results show that, on the average, the proposed method SWMD provides 36.58% reduction in sample droplets and 62.22% reduction in waste droplets when compared to MTC and other algorithms. However, an O(n) on-chip storage space is needed to store intermediate droplets generated during the process.