Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A magnetohydrodynamic stirrer for mixing liquid, comprising:a conduit having a longitudinal axis,said conduit comprising two opposing solid walls, each extending along said longitudinal axis and each abutting a solid floor;a magnet, electromagnet, or both disposed in proximity to said conduit;at least three interior electrodes disposed within said conduit,a first of said interior electrodes contacting one of said two opposing walls and contacting said floor, said first of said interior electrodes extending along said longitudinal axis,a second of said interior electrodes contacting the other of said two opposing walls and contacting said floor, said second of said interior electrodes extending along said longitudinal axis, anda third of said interior electrodes being disposed on said floor of said conduit at a distance from said two opposing walls; anda controller in operational engagement with said interior electrodes,said controller, during operation, being capable of the application of a potential, a current, or both between at least two of said interior electrodes so as to give rise to flow of a liquid along said longitudinal axis within said conduit during operation of said stirrer. 2. The magnetic stirrer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the interior electrodes is moveable. 3. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said interior electrodes is a pin. 4. The magneto hydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein said conduit comprises an inlet and an outlet. 5. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said interior electrodes is characterized as being linear in configuration. 6. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said interior electrodes is characterized as being circular. 7. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein said controller is capable of effecting application of a periodic potential, current, or both between at least two of said interior electrodes so as to give rise to chaotic advection within a liquid disposed within said conduit during operation of said stirrer. 8. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein said controller is capable of effecting application of a non-periodic potential, current, or both between at least two of said interior electrodes so as to give rise to chaotic advection within a liquid disposed within said conduit during operation of said stirrer. 9. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein said magnet or electromagnet is disposed exterior to said conduit. 10. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein a portion of said conduit comprises a magnetic material. 11. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein said conduit further comprises a ceiling. 12. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 11, wherein at least one of said interior electrodes is essentially flush with said floor or ceiling of said conduit. 13. The magnetohydrodynamic stirrer of claim 1, wherein said controller is in operational engagement with said magnet or electromagnet and said controller, during operation, modulates the application of a magnetic field from said magnet or electromagnet.