Generation of Complex, Dynamic Temperature Gradients in a Disposable Microchip

We present a temperature gradient (TG) generation method using acoustothermal heating of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by surface acoustic wave (SAW) microfluidic system. Independent and precise control of each SAW from a slanted interdigital transducer (IDT) enables a one-dimensional (1D) spatiotemporal control of temperature in a PDMS microchip. Various TGs were created in gas and liquid. The system creates switchable, dynamic and complex TGs in a disposable microchip.