Patent ID: 6508273
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A device for controlling the electro-osmotic flow of a liquid in a liquid channel, said device comprising:a) an insulator member provided with an elongate liquid channel; b) a first voltage means comprising a first electrode and a second electrode for applying a first voltage difference over substantially the longitudinal direction of the liquid channel to provide an electric field in the liquid channel; c) a conductor member arranged between the first and second electrode on at least a part of the outer surface of the insulator member; and d) a second voltage supply means connected to the conductor member for providing a second voltage difference between the conductor member and the liquid in the liquid channel so as to control the electro-osmotic flow of the liquid in the liquid channel, wherein: the insulator member is fabricated with a thickness of a maximum of 1 &mgr;m; the second voltage difference is a maximum of 20 V; the first voltage means generates an electric field alternately in a first direction and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, in the liquid channel; and the second voltage supply means switches substantially synchronously with the alternating electric field.