Patent ID: 8435397

Claim:
A fluidic device comprising: a porous substrate, wherein said porous substrate includes a network of filaments, wherein said network of filaments is comprised of a first plurality of filaments and a second plurality of filaments, wherein said first plurality of filaments is comprised of filaments exposed to a surface modification treatment, wherein each of said second plurality of filaments is covered with a conformal coating, wherein said conformal coating includes a conductive material layer and a dielectric material layer; a wetting region comprised of said first plurality of filaments extending through a first portion of the porous substrate from a first side of the substrate, wherein the wetting region is permeable to fluid transport, wherein; a non-wetting region comprised of said second plurality of filaments extending through a second portion of the porous substrate from a second side of the substrate, wherein the non-wetting region is operable to switch between a first state impermeable to fluid transport and a second state permeable to fluid transport; and an electrical source coupled to the non-wetting region to provide a voltage between the non-wetting region and a fluid on the non-wetting region.