A high-resolution passive droplet-phase sample sorter using multi-stage droplet transfer

A fully passive volume-dependent droplet sorter is presented in this research. Repeated and multiple on-rail transfer of microdroplets in a cascade channel resulted in high resolution sorting of droplet-phase samples. Microdroplets with volumes of 0.89-3.26 nl were successfully sorted in eight steps, and a maximum sorting resolution of about 0.21 nl was obtained over three transfer stages. Line rails and dot rails employed in the cascading channels allowed volume-dependent droplet transfer, and shape recovery of the transferred droplet for the repeatable transfer, respectively. This simple device and method can be applied to droplet-based chemical or biological research.