Patent ID: 7875159
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
1. A method of moving a liquid using an electrokinetic device comprising a pair of electrodes capable of having a voltage drop therebetween and a porous dielectric material between the electrodes, wherein the electrodes are comprised of a material having a capacitance of at least 10 −4 Farads per square centimeter, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a positive current to the electrodes to charge the capacitance of the electrodes and to move the liquid through the porous dielectric material in a first direction; (b) reversing the current applied to the electrodes prior to reaching a threshold voltage for a Faradaic process in the liquid; and (c) applying a negative current to the electrodes to move the liquid through the porous dielectric material in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.