LAB-ON-A-SMARTPHONE (LOS): A SMARTPHONE-INTEGRATED, PLASMONIC-ENHANCED OPTOELECTROWETTING PLATFORM FOR ON-CHIP WATER QUALITY DETECTION

Abstract

Optoelectrowetting (OEW) is proposed as a droplet actuation mechanism by utilizing optical addressing on a photoconductive surface to achieve a localized electrowetting effect on a droplet. To improve performance, this thesis proposes the plasmonic-enhanced OEW technology to significantly enhance device flexibility and functionality. This thesis also integrates the plasmonic-enhanced OEW technology with the ubiquity and vast capabilities of a smartphone to present a lab-on-a-smartphone (LOS) platform as a portable, low-cost, and rapid detection tool for real-time on-chip water quality detection. The LOS platform is a low-cost, portable, and fully integrated system that can prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms in aquatic environments and public water systems by performing on-chip water sample preparations, fluorescence microscopic detection of harmful algae cells and microbiological contaminants, as well as on-site monitoring of fecal indicator bacteria through loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) testing and colorimetric analyses without the need for sophisticated laboratory equipment or skilled personnel.