Patent ID: 6958132

Claim:
A microfluidic circuit adapted to manipulate a droplet in response to light, the microfluidic circuit comprising: a first wall with at least a conductive layer adapted to be coupled to a first terminal of an alternating current (AC) voltage source; a second wall adapted to be coupled to a second terminal of the AC voltage source such that an electric field is generated between the first wall and the second wall, where the second wall is responsive to light such that a portion of the second wall that is illuminated by a localized spot of light has a higher electric field intensity than a portion of the second wall that is not illuminated by the localized spot of light, wherein at least one of the first wall or the second wall is further adapted to allow light to pass through; a cavity defined between the first wall and the second wall, where the cavity is adapted to hold the droplet for manipulation, wherein manipulation includes at least one of transporting, joining, cutting, or creating the droplet during operation; and wherein the first wall further comprises a hydrophobic inner liner facing the cavity, and wherein the conductive layer of the first wall comprises indium-tin-oxide (ITO) glass and the hydrophobic inner liner comprises polytetrafluoroethytene (PTFE).