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Methods for forming small-volume electrical contacts and material manipulations with fluid microchannels

  • US 8,083,915 B2
  • Filed: 10/19/2007
  • Issued: 12/27/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1999
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A device for the manipulation of liquid phase materials, comprising:

  • a substrate;

    a channel disposed in said substrate and containing a material, said channel having first and second ends;

    an electrode made of an electrically conducting material, said electrode being in electrical contact with said channel at a location along said channel that is intermediate the first and second ends thereof;

    a coverplate;

    said coverplate and said substrate being mated together such that the coverplate seals the channel wherein either said substrate or said coverplate is formed of a gas permeable material that is selected to facilitate the removal of electrochemically generated gases from said channel; and

    means for applying an electric potential in a first segment of the channel between the first end of said channel and said electrode such that an electric field-free region is created in a second segment of said channel between said electrode and the second end, whereby transport of the material can be induced in the first and second segments of the channel.

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