本研究分別透過表面微結構設計以及生化分子自我組裝單層膜(SAM)方式，使複合表面具有親疏水性梯度(wettability gradient)，當液珠位於親疏水性梯度介面上時，將具有自發性的移動能力，能夠從疏水端傳輸到親水端，以進行傳輸與混合。本研究分別透過實驗以及計算流體力學模擬分析液珠傳輸及混合過程中的流場特徵行為，並研究不同液珠尺寸、黏滯係數以及表面張力對於混合現象及混合時間的影響。
液珠混合現象的定量方式為利用染料法，藉由高速攝影機擷取影像，並進行混合之計算，以討論其流場行為。另外透過計算流體力學軟體CFD-RC成功模擬液珠在親疏水性梯度表面驅動下之流場行為，與實驗結果進行互相驗證，並利用環流量的計算量化液珠之循環效果。
本研究之另一重點為工程方面之應用，其一為跨越親疏水端介面之被動式液珠傳送裝置結合表面微結構設計以及生化分子自我組裝單層膜之技術，成功開發出一種跨越親疏水端介面之被動式液珠傳送裝置，突破以往只單用親水端或疏水端傳輸的距離限制；其二為利用蒸散作用及表面材質快速成型之方法，利用液珠具有因表面張力而其外型將自我調控為一凸出球狀型結構之特性，並透過蒸散作用的影響進而調控此半球型結構之曲率及外型大小。
本文研究成果可應用於生醫晶片當中之數位微流體系統，提高液珠傳輸速率與混合效率，藉由生化液珠所攜帶之檢體及試劑的快速混合，以達到降低晶片檢測時間之目的，例如DNA雜交 (hybridization)以及疾病快速篩檢。

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