Patent ID: 7691244
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: B01F,B01L,F04B

Abstract:
1. A microfluidic device comprising one or more inlet ports, one or more outlet ports and microfluidic channels in fluid communication with said ports, said channels comprising one or more micropumps and one or more micromixers, wherein: said micropumps comprise a passageway for transmitting an electrolyte fluid; a source providing an AC or pulsed AC electric field or pulsed AC electric field with a DC offset in said microchannel; at least one conductor element that is placed in an orientation that is perpendicular to the axis of said electric field, at a location within or proximal to said microchannel, whereby interactions between said field and said at least one conductor element produce electro-osmotic flows so that said electrolyte fluid is driven across said microfluidic channels; and said micromixers comprise a passageway for transmitting an electrolyte fluid; a source providing an AC or pulsed AC electric field or pulsed AC electric field with a DC offset in said microfluidic channel; at least one conductor element that is placed in an orientation that is perpendicular to the axis of said electric field, at a location within or proximal to said microchannel, whereby interactions between said field and said conductor element produce electro-osmotic flows with varied trajectories, and said electrolyte fluid is driven across said microfluidic channels so that said electrolyte fluid is mixed in said microfluidic channels.