Droplet actuation enhancement using oscillatory sliding motion between substrates in microfluidic devices

A droplet-based microfluidic device having a first confining plate, a second confining plate, and an actuator. Each confining plate includes a respective substrate and hydrophobic layer having a planar major surface. The first confining plate additionally includes a common electrode between its hydrophobic layer and substrate. The second confining plate includes an electrode array between its hydrophobic layer and substrate. The confining plates are disposed opposite one another with their major surfaces separated from one another by a gap. The actuator is to impart oscillatory sliding motion between the confining plates in a direction principally parallel to the major surfaces. The oscillatory sliding motion effectively allows voltages applied between the common electrode and the electrodes of the electrode array to move a microfluidic droplet located in the gap across the major surfaces without sticking.