Patent ID: 8641880
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: B03C,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for the manipulation of particles using an at least bi-dimensional array of blocks of electrodes arranged in rows and columns, each block comprising a first group of electrodes connected to column signals and a second group of electrodes connected to row signals, wherein the column signals are common to all of the electrodes of the first group in the same column of blocks, and the row signals are common to all of the electrodes of the second group in the same row of blocks; the method comprising the steps of: i. generating a first configuration of field of force, which presents at least one first point of stable equilibrium for said particles positioned on a first block of electrodes, and at least one second point of stable equilibrium for said particles positioned on a second block of electrodes, the second block being immediately adjacent to the first block, wherein at least one particle is entrapped in said first point of stable equilibrium; ii. generating at least one second configuration of field of force such that a particle is pushed within a basin of attraction of said at least one second point of stable equilibrium; and iii. generating again said first configuration of field of force, such that said particle is attracted towards the second point of stable equilibrium; wherein said first configuration of field of force and said second configuration of field of force are generated by at least two different configurations of first voltages applied to the row signals and to the column signals of the electrodes of the first block of the array and of second voltages applied to the row signals and to the column signals of the electrodes of the second block of the array.