Self-mixing by on-chip preparation of aqueous two phase systems and its influence on extraction kinetics

This paper introduces an advantageous self-mixing phenomenon created during the formation of aqueous two-phase systems in a digital microfluidic device, for the first time. The influence of such self-mixing on enhancement of on-chip extraction kinetics is quantified and reported, highlighting a significant mixing capability in the absence of forced mixing. Results suggest potential applications of the self-mixing concept in portable microfluidics, where implementing complicated mixing sequences or device geometries are problematic.