Patent ID: 6309600
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B01F,B01J,B01L,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for transporting at least one isolated droplet of a liquid having a surface tension, the droplet having a volume less than one microliter, the apparatus comprising:a. a reservoir for containing a quantity of the liquid;b. a flexible member characterized by a linear dimension and movable to a specified extent along the linear dimension of the member, the flexible member disposed for receiving the at least one isolated droplet of the liquid from the reservoir, the at least one isolated droplet of the liquid adhering to the flexible member by virtue of the surface tension of the liquid; andc. an impeller for urging the flexible member in at least one direction, the impeller comprising at least one pulley having a circumferential recess for straddling the at least one droplet during motion of the flexible member.