An integrated platform for metamaterial-based sensing and surface acoustic wave-based acoustofluidics utilising circular interdigital transducers

Abstract

A key challenge in developing lab-on-a-chip devices is integrating various functionalities such as liquid manipulation and sensing on a single platform, which conventionally requires different technologies to be separately optimized. In this paper, we design circular or ring-shape interdigitated structures on a piezoelectric substrate that can be used for both sensing and liquid manipulation for point-of-care applications. We present acoustofluidic functionalities including streaming, jetting and nebulisation using the circular surface acoustic wave device to demonstrate the acoustofluidic manipulation capabilities of the actuator. We then optimise the design inspired by the double split-ring resonator geometry so that the device geometry can be used as a high performance wireless and electromagnetic sensor. We present the wireless-sensing capabilities of the device with case studies in monitoring glucose concentration and the fermentation process of yeast cells.