On-Demand Droplet Capture and Release Using Microwell-Assisted Surface Acoustic Waves.

We demonstrate an acoustofluidic platform that uses surface acoustic waves (SAWs) for the facile capture of droplets inside microwells and their on-demand release. When the ac signal applied to the device is tuned to modulate the location of the SAW, the SAW-based acoustic radiation force retracts or pushes the droplets into or out of one of three microwells fabricated inside a microchannel to selectively capture or release the droplet.