Patent ID: 7258777

Claim:
An electroosmotic flow system comprising: a. an electroosmotic flow element having: i. a charge ratio cr1; ii. a first end; and, iii. a second end; b. a power supply having: i. a first terminal in electrical communication with the first end of the electroosmotic flow element; and, ii. a second terminal in electrical communication with the second end of the electroosmotic flow element; c. a first bridge element having: i. a charge ratio cr2; ii. a first end; and, iii. a second end, wherein the first end of the first bridge element is in fluidic and electrical communication with the first end of the electroosmotic flow element, and, wherein the second end of the first bridge element in electrical communication with the first terminal of the power supply; d. a second bridge element having: i. a charge ratio cr3; ii. a first end; and, iii. a second end, wherein the first end of the second bridge element is in fluidic and electrical communication with the first end of the electroosmotic flow element; wherein the second end of the second bridge element is in electrical communication with the first terminal of the power supply; wherein the first bride element and second bridge element are electrically connected in parallel; and, wherein cr2<cr1, and cr1<cr3; e. a first electrode electrically connected to the first terminal of the power supply; f. a second electrode electrically connected to the first terminal of the power supply; g. a first electrode reservoir containing: i. the first electrode; and, ii. a first fluid; wherein the first electrode is in electrical communication with the first fluid; and, wherein the second end of the first bridge element is in fluidic communication with the first fluid; and, h. a second electrode reservoir containing: i. the second electrode; and, ii. a second fluid, wherein the second electrode is in electrical communication with the second fluid; and, wherein the second end of the second bridge element is in fluidic communication with the second fluid; wherein the composition of said first fluid differs from the composition of said second fluid.