Patent ID: 7470547
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: B01D,B01J,B01L,B05B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of accurately dispensing sub-microfluidic droplets of a liquid onto or into a target supported on a table, comprising: providing a dispensing system comprising a substantially inert fluid path and a dispensing tip having a nozzle and a droplet emitting orifice at a distal end; generating an electric field between said tip and said table by maintaining said tip at a first potential and said table at a second potential; positively displacing said liquid through said tip to dispense droplets onto or into said target with said electric field providing a bias that facilitates droplet ejection and release from said tip so that droplets having a volume of less than about one microliter are reliably dispensed; and flowing ionized air over said nozzle to induce a hydrophobic effect.