Patent ID: 7420659

Claim:
A flow control system comprising: a fluidic cartridge having at least one flow channel; an electrostatically actuated valve situated in at least one flow channel of the cartridge, wherein the electrostatically actuated valve includes a valve cavity with a movable diaphragm within the valve cavity, wherein the movable diaphragm is actuated by an electrostatic force to open the electrostatically actuated valve to allow flow through the at least one flow channel and/or close the electrostatically actuated valve to prevent flow through the at least one flow channel; a controller connected to the electrostatically actuated valve for controlling the opening and/or closing of the electrostatically actuated valve during operation of the fluidic cartridge; and a flow sensor in fluid communication with the at least one flow channel, the flow sensor measuring the velocity of fluid flow, and the controller controlling the valve to achieve a desired fluid velocity in the at least one flow channel.