Patent ID: 9206794
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: B01L,F04B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A microfluidic pump comprising: a surface having a plurality of metal electrodes which oxidise in air and a counter electrode; wherein the oxidation state of the metal electrodes is controlled by changing the chemical nature of metal electrodes' surface in order to vary electrode wettability, wherein the counter electrode and the metal electrodes are spaced apart such that when a liquid droplet is in direct contact with at least one metal electrode of the plurality of metal electrodes and the counter electrode, the liquid droplet is moved on the surface by the microfluidic pump, wherein a surface of the counter electrode that is in direct contact with the liquid droplet is smaller in area than a surface of the at least one metal electrode of the plurality of metal electrodes that is in direct contact with the liquid droplet such that change in the wettablity of the counter electrode does not prevent the liquid droplet motion, and wherein the counter electrode and the metal electrodes are arranged in a parallel co-planar fashion on the surface of the microfluidic pump.