Patent ID: 8864967

Claim:
A device for displacing a volume of liquid under effect of an electric control, comprising: a first substrate with a hydrophobic surface including first electrical conductors, the first electrical conductors comprising multiple individual first electrical conductors; a second electrical conductor positioned facing each of the first individual electrical conductors; a third electrical conductor positioned facing each of the first individual electrical conductors wherein the second and third electrical conductors are substantially parallel to the hydrophobic surface; and a controller programmed to control a voltage applied to the first electrical conductors, the second electrical conductor, and the third electrical conductor, wherein the controller is programmed to create a first potential difference between the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductor to cause displacement of the volume of liquid, and the controller is programmed to cause a second potential difference between the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor that induces a reaction in the volume of liquid or analyzes the volume of liquid when the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor both receive voltage and current flows through the volume of liquid from or to the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor such that the controller is programmed to use the second electrode for both said displacement of the volume of liquid and also for said inducing an electrochemical reaction in the volume of liquid or said analyzing the volume of liquid.