Patent ID: 8444837

Claim:
A device for producing at least one of fluid flows and particles flows, the device comprising: a substrate having a substrate surface, the substrate surface including a matrix having a plurality of regions in a two dimensional array, so that the plurality of regions are arranged in a checkered pattern with adjacent regions of the plurality of regions having at least one of a different magnitude of a surface charge, a different sign of the surface charge, and a different height above the substrate; a fluid disposed at the substrate surface, the fluid including at least partially electrically charged particles; a plurality of electrode pairs disposed on the substrate surface; and a first control element configured to supply a plurality of electrical voltages to the plurality of electrode pairs so as to generate, by each of the plurality of electrode pairs, an electric field in response thereto, wherein the electric field exerts a first force on a component of the fluid within an electrical double layer, the component being disposed adjacent to the substrate surface, and wherein the electric field exerts a second force within the double layer and outside of the double layer, the second force being exerted on the at least partially electrically charged particles.