Patent ID: 6773566
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B01L,F04B

Abstract:
An apparatus for inducing movement of an electrolytic droplet, comprising:a housing having an internal volume filled with a liquid immiscible with an electrolytic droplet; a distribution plate positioned within the chamber having an aperture therein, the distribution plate dividing the housing into upper and lower chambers; a lower electrode positioned below the lower chamber and below the aperture in the distribution plate, the lower electrode being electrically insulated from the lower chamber and being separated from the lower chamber by an overlying hydrophobic layer; an upper electrode located above the upper chamber and above the aperture of the distribution plate, the upper chamber electrode being electrically insulated from the upper chamber and being separated from the upper chamber by an underlying hydrophobic layer; and first, second and third voltage generators that are electrically connected to, respectively, the lower and upper electrodes and the distribution plate, the first, second and third second voltage generators being configured to apply electrical potentials thereto, thereby inducing movement of the electrolytic droplet between the hydrophobic layers of the upper and lower chambers.