ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces automated error recoverability to digital microfluidics implementation of quantitative-analysis protocols. I describes an experimental demonstration of the first practical and fully integrated cyber-physical error-recovery system that can be implemented in real time on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The hardware-assisted solution, which can be applied to all stages of the biomolecular workflow, is based on an error dictionary containing the error-recovery plans for various anticipated errors. The dictionary is computed and stored in FPGA memory before the start of the biochemical experiment. Errors in droplet operations on the digital microfluidic platform are detected using capacitive sensors, the test outcome is interpreted by control hardware, and corresponding error-recovery plans are triggered in real-time. Experimental results are reported for a fabricated silicon device, and links to videos are provided for the experimental demonstration. This chapter concludes the discussion on design-automation challenges associated with biomolecular assays.
