Droplet Impedance Feedback-Enabled Microsampling Microfluidic Device for Precise Chemical Information Monitoring

Microelectrodes have transformed our understanding of spatiotemporal responses to electrical stimulation. However, biological signals are often molecular, complicating the capture of intricate chemical signals. The microfluidic chip developed in this paper accurately measures droplet volume by using impedance analysis. The utilization of droplet volume as a feedback signal for precise microsampling pressure control ensures that microsampling remains unaffected by droplet volume influence. Once the microsampling is complete, chemiluminescence detection enables high temporal resolution and continuous and sensitive monitoring of chemical information within the droplets. Experimental verification shows that the chip can avoid volume influence through impedance feedback, achieving consistent and stable microampling at the nanoliter level (0–3 nL). In just 0.3 s, it can perform sensitive chemiluminescence detection of H2O2 and glucose within droplets. The linear detection ranges for these analytes are 10–50,000 and 20–600 μM, respectively, with the limit of detection being 0.648 and 0.334 μM. The significance of this chip lies in its ability to reveal changes in both electrical and chemical signals during transient biological processes. Its potential applications are numerous, encompassing a wide range of emerging areas such as single-cell analysis, cell communication, and cellular immunity.