Prevention of surface adsorption in microchannels by application of electric current during pressure-induced flow
First Claim
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1. A device or system comprising:
- a body having a plurality of fluidly coupled microchannels disposed therein;
a source of fluidic material fluidly coupled to at least one of the plurality of microchannels;
a fluid pressure controller fluidly coupled to the at least one microchannel;
at least two electrodes in fluidic or ionic contact with the at least one microchannel; and
an electrical controller in electrical contact with the at least two electrodes, the electrical controller configured to apply an electric field that produces movement of at least a portion of the fluidic material adjacent to a surface of the at least one microchannel while minimally influencing movement of the fluidic material in a direction of fluid flow or while minimally influencing movement of charged fluidic material in a direction of flow of the charged material.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for reducing adsorption in microscale devices are provided. In the methods and apparatus, an electrical current such as an alternating current is applied to materials under pressure-induced flow. Integrated systems for simultaneous control of current and pressure in a channel are also provided.
106 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A device or system comprising:
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a body having a plurality of fluidly coupled microchannels disposed therein; a source of fluidic material fluidly coupled to at least one of the plurality of microchannels; a fluid pressure controller fluidly coupled to the at least one microchannel; at least two electrodes in fluidic or ionic contact with the at least one microchannel; and an electrical controller in electrical contact with the at least two electrodes, the electrical controller configured to apply an electric field that produces movement of at least a portion of the fluidic material adjacent to a surface of the at least one microchannel while minimally influencing movement of the fluidic material in a direction of fluid flow or while minimally influencing movement of charged fluidic material in a direction of flow of the charged material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An integrated system for moving adherent materials in a microchannel, the integrated system comprising:
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a first microchannel fluidly coupled to a pressure source and to a plurality of electrodes; a fluid pressure modulator for applying or modulating pressure from the pressure source in the first microchannel; an electrical controller for applying or modulating current or voltage at least at two of the plurality of electrodes; and
,a computer operably linked to the fluid pressure modulator, or to the fluid pressure source, and to the electrical controller, which computer comprises an instruction set for controlling the fluid pressure modulator and the electrical controller, which instruction set provides for reduced adsorption of the adherent materials to a surface of the microchannel during pressure-induced flow of the materials. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification