Experimental observation of electrical instability of droplets on dielectric layer

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has become the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer in bio-MEMS/NEMS devices. However, the inherent hydrophobic nature of PDMS hinders its wide applications in bio-MEMS/NEMS for efficient transport of liquids. Electrowetting is a useful tool to reduce the apparent contact angle of partially wetting conductive liquids and has been utilized widely in bio-MEMS/NEMS. Our experimental results show that the thin PDMS membranes exhibit good properties in electrowetting-on-dielectric. The electrical instability phenomenon of droplets was observed in our experiment. The sessile droplet lying on the PDMS membrane will lose its stability with the touch of the wire electrode to make the apparent contact angle change suddenly larger than 35 deg. Contact mode can protect the dielectric layer from electrical breakdown effectively. Electrical breakdown process of dielectric layer was recorded by a high speed camera. It is found experimentally that a PDMS membrane of 4.8 μm thick will not be destroyed due to the electric breakdown even at 800 V in the contact mode. (fast track communication)