Droplet-based microfluidic systems are a promising platform forlab-on-a-chip (LoC) applications. These systems can also be used toenhance LoC applications with integrated droplet control information or for data transmission scenarios in the context of molecular communication. For both use-cases the detection and characterisation of droplets in small microfluidic channels is crucial. So far, only complex lab setups with restricted capabilities have been presented as detection devices. We present a new low-cost and portable droplet detector. The device is used to confidently distinguish between individual droplets in a droplet-based microfluidic system. Using on-off keying a 16-bit sequence is successfully transmittedfor the first time with such a setup. Furthermore, the devices capabilities to characterise droplets regarding colour and size are demonstrated. Such an application of a spectral sensor in a microfluidic system presents new possibilities, such as colour-coded data transmission or analysis of droplet content.

中文翻译：

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用于分子通讯的颜色特异性微流体液滴检测

基于液滴的微流体系统是用于芯片实验室 ​​(LoC) 应用的有前途的平台。这些系统还可用于增强具有集成液滴控制信息的 LoC 应用程序或用于分子通信环境中的数据传输场景。对于这两个用例，小微流体通道中液滴的检测和表征至关重要。到目前为止，只有功能受限的复杂实验室设置才被用作检测设备。我们展示了一种新的低成本便携式液滴检测器。该设备用于自信地区分基于液滴的微流体系统中的单个液滴。通过这样的设置，使用开关键控首次成功传输了 16 位序列。此外，展示了设备在颜色和大小方面表征液滴的能力。光谱传感器在微流体系统中的这种应用提供了新的可能性，例如颜色编码的数据传输或液滴含量的分析。