An electrostatic actuator for use with an adjacent chamber having an orifice in order to eject fluid from the orifice of the chamber , the electrostatic actuator comprising: a plurality of rigid conductors arranged on a bonding surface of a substrate of the electrostatic actuator , wherein the plurality of rigid conductors are associated with the chamber , and wherein the plurality of rigid conductors are arranged adjacent to one another and in use along the adjacent chamber ; a plurality of conductive blockers arranged on the bonding surface of the substrate and positioned between each of the conductors ; a conductive layer comprising: a flexible conductive membrane forming at least part of a wall of the chamber in use such that flexing the flexible conductive membrane changes the volume of the chamber; and a plurality of bumps ; and a drive circuit operably connected to each of the conductors and the conductive layer , configured to selectively apply a voltage between each of the conductors and the conductive layer to generate a varying electrostatic force that flexes the flexible conductive membrane in a desired pattern to eject fluid drops from the orifice in the chamber; wherein the flexible conductive membrane is disposed opposite to and spanning the plurality of rigid conductors across a gap between the substrate and the conductive layer , such that each of the plurality of bumps is located over a corresponding one of the plurality of blockers across the gap ; and a voltage source configured to hold the conductive blockers and the bumps at the same voltage. a plurality of rigid conductors arranged on a bonding surface of a substrate of the electrostatic actuator , wherein the plurality of rigid conductors are associated with the chamber , and wherein the plurality of rigid conductors are arranged adjacent to one another and in use along the adjacent chamber ; a plurality of conductive blockers arranged on the bonding surface of the substrate and positioned between each of the conductors ; a conductive layer comprising: a flexible conductive membrane forming at least part of a wall of the chamber in use such that flexing the flexible conductive membrane changes the volume of the chamber; and a plurality of bumps ; and a drive circuit operably connected to each of the conductors and the conductive layer , configured to selectively apply a voltage between each of the conductors and the conductive layer to generate a varying electrostatic force that flexes the flexible conductive membrane in a desired pattern to eject fluid drops from the orifice in the chamber; a flexible conductive membrane forming at least part of a wall of the chamber in use such that flexing the flexible conductive membrane changes the volume of the chamber; and a plurality of bumps ; and a drive circuit operably connected to each of the conductors and the conductive layer , configured to selectively apply a voltage between each of the conductors and the conductive layer to generate a varying electrostatic force that flexes the flexible conductive membrane in a desired pattern to eject fluid drops from the orifice in the chamber; wherein the flexible conductive membrane is disposed opposite to and spanning the plurality of rigid conductors across a gap between the substrate and the conductive layer , such that each of the plurality of bumps is located over a corresponding one of the plurality of blockers across the gap ; and a voltage source configured to hold the conductive blockers and the bumps at the same voltage. <EOS>