Patent ID: 7168680

Claim:
A microfluidic control valve comprising: a dielectric structure defining at least one cavity therein; an electroactive material comprised of an electroactive polymer (EAP) disposed in a portion of said cavity, said electroactive material being operable between a first state in which a dimension of said electroactive material has a first value and a second state in which said dimension has a second value; at least two conductors for applying a voltage potential across said electroactive material, said application of said voltage potential changing said electroactive material between said first state and said second state; a closed loop control circuit configured to selectively vary said voltage potential responsive to at least one sensor and a first fluidic port located proximate to said electroactive material such that a fluid flows through said first fluidic port when said electroactive material is in at least one of said first and second state, and said electroactive material at least partially blocks said first fluidic port when said electroactive material is in at least one of said first and second state, thereby reducing or stopping said fluid flow.