Electrowetting-driven micropumping
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for micropumping, comprising:
- a structure including one or more channels for a liquid;
at least two hydrophobic electrode patches proximate to the channels;
wherein each of the electrode patches modifies a surface property of the structure between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states in response to an electrical potential applied between the liquid and the electrode patches.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for micropumping is disclosed. The apparatus (100) comprises a virtual or physical microchannel (106) and at least two hydrophobic electrode patches (104A-104G) on a surface (102) or two electrode patches disposed underneath a dielectric film proximate to the channel (106). Each of the electrode patches modifies a surface property between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states in response to an electrical potential applied between the liquid and the electrode, and the electrical potential is provided to digitize the liquid, drive the liquid segments, and mix different liquids.
258 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for micropumping, comprising:
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a structure including one or more channels for a liquid;
at least two hydrophobic electrode patches proximate to the channels;
wherein each of the electrode patches modifies a surface property of the structure between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states in response to an electrical potential applied between the liquid and the electrode patches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for micropumping, comprising the steps of:
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providing a structure including one or more channels for a liquid forming at least two hydrophobic electrode patches proximate to the channels;
applying an electrical potential between the liquid and the electrode patches to modify a surface property of the structure between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification