Characterizing Self-Forming Lipid Bilayers in Low-Voltage Electrowetting Systems.
Guha, Ingrid.
2012
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Abstract: This thesis
reports the first-time demonstration of lipid bilayers as reversibly wettable
dielectrics in electrowetting systems and characterizes various physical and electrical
properties of lipid bilayers, with the aim of assessing the capabilities and limitations
of using these thin liquid films in electrowetting-powered microfluidic devices. Lipid
bilayers enable high contact ... read moreangle changes at lower voltages than alternative organic
dielectrics in electrowetting systems, reducing the required voltage by approximately an
order of magnitude. Thus, lipid bilayers offer a promising approach to developing
low-voltage, low power-consumption electrowetting devices. This thesis characterizes the
electrowetting behavior of systems containing lipid bilayers (e.g. contact angle as a
function of voltage), as well as other physical and electrical properties, including
lipid bilayer thickness in response to applied electrostatic pressure, lipid bilayer
conductivity under applied electric fields, and changes in lipid bilayer thickness with
respect to time between voltage transitions. A discussion on the morphology of lipid
bilayers formed from two oil-based surfactants, sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) and
sorbitan trioleate (Span 85), is presented.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2012.
Submitted to the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor: Behrouz Abedian.
Committee: Matthew Panzer, Peter Wong, and Shaun Berry.
Keywords: Mechanical engineering, and Materials Science.read less - ID:
- pg15bs40w
- Component ID:
- tufts:20841
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
