A method of dispensing a droplet on a digital microfluidic system, the system comprising: (a) a bottom plate comprising: a bottom electrode array comprising a plurality of digital microfluidic propulsion electrodes; and a first dielectric layer covering the bottom electrode array; (b) a top plate comprising: a common top electrode; and a second dielectric layer covering the common top electrode; (c) a processing unit operably programmed to perform a microfluidic driving method; and (d) a controller operatively coupled to the processing unit, common top electrode, and bottom electrode array, wherein the controller is configured to provide propulsion voltages between the common top electrode and the bottom plate propulsion electrodes; characterized in that the microfluidic driving method comprises: receiving input instructions in the processing unit, the input instructions relating to a droplet diameter and aspect ratio; calculating in the processing unit actuation parameters comprising: a length of an actuated hold, a length of an actuated neck, and a height of an actuated head, for dispensing a droplet having the diameter and aspect ratio of the input instructions; outputting electrode actuation instructions from the processing unit to the controller, the electrode actuation instructions relating to a dispense driving sequence for implementing the calculated actuation parameters; executing the dispense driving sequence on the propulsion electrodes, to: shape a fluid in a reservoir to form an actuated hold and an actuated neck; cleaving the droplet from the head of the neck; and returning the neck fluid into the reservoir, wherein the electrodes of the bottom electrode array have a dimension less than the diameter of the droplet. the system comprising: (a) a bottom plate comprising: a bottom electrode array comprising a plurality of digital microfluidic propulsion electrodes; and a first dielectric layer covering the bottom electrode array; (b) a top plate comprising: a common top electrode; and a second dielectric layer covering the common top electrode; (c) a processing unit operably programmed to perform a microfluidic driving method; and (d) a controller operatively coupled to the processing unit, common top electrode, and bottom electrode array, wherein the controller is configured to provide propulsion voltages between the common top electrode and the bottom plate propulsion electrodes; (a) a bottom plate comprising: a bottom electrode array comprising a plurality of digital microfluidic propulsion electrodes; and a first dielectric layer covering the bottom electrode array; a bottom electrode array comprising a plurality of digital microfluidic propulsion electrodes; and a first dielectric layer covering the bottom electrode array; (b) a top plate comprising: a common top electrode; and a second dielectric layer covering the common top electrode; a common top electrode; and a second dielectric layer covering the common top electrode; (c) a processing unit operably programmed to perform a microfluidic driving method; and (d) a controller operatively coupled to the processing unit, common top electrode, and bottom electrode array, wherein the controller is configured to provide propulsion voltages between the common top electrode and the bottom plate propulsion electrodes; characterized in that the microfluidic driving method comprises: receiving input instructions in the processing unit, the input instructions relating to a droplet diameter and aspect ratio; calculating in the processing unit actuation parameters comprising: a length of an actuated hold, a length of an actuated neck, and a height of an actuated head, for dispensing a droplet having the diameter and aspect ratio of the input instructions; outputting electrode actuation instructions from the processing unit to the controller, the electrode actuation instructions relating to a dispense driving sequence for implementing the calculated actuation parameters; executing the dispense driving sequence on the propulsion electrodes, to: shape a fluid in a reservoir to form an actuated hold and an actuated neck; cleaving the droplet from the head of the neck; and returning the neck fluid into the reservoir, receiving input instructions in the processing unit, the input instructions relating to a droplet diameter and aspect ratio; calculating in the processing unit actuation parameters comprising: a length of an actuated hold, a length of an actuated neck, and a height of an actuated head, for dispensing a droplet having the diameter and aspect ratio of the input instructions; outputting electrode actuation instructions from the processing unit to the controller, the electrode actuation instructions relating to a dispense driving sequence for implementing the calculated actuation parameters; executing the dispense driving sequence on the propulsion electrodes, to: shape a fluid in a reservoir to form an actuated hold and an actuated neck; cleaving the droplet from the head of the neck; and returning the neck fluid into the reservoir, shape a fluid in a reservoir to form an actuated hold and an actuated neck; cleaving the droplet from the head of the neck; and returning the neck fluid into the reservoir, wherein the electrodes of the bottom electrode array have a dimension less than the diameter of the droplet.