Patent ID: 8529743

Claim:
An apparatus for micropumping, comprising: a structure including one or more channels for a non-dielectric liquid; and at least two hydrophobic electrode patches proximate to the channels; wherein the electrode patches are sequentially charged to pump the liquid along the channels and to advance the liquid between at least two of the electrode patches, each of the electrode patches modifies a surface property of the structure between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states in response to an electrical potential applied between the liquid and the electrode patches, so that when the electric potential is applied between the liquid and the electrode patches, surfaces of the channels proximate to the electrode patches become hydrophilic and the liquid wets the surfaces of the channels proximate to the electrode patches, and wherein complex manipulation of the liquid is performed, by digitizing the liquid using the electrode patches to separate increments of the liquid pumped along the channels, and by mixing segments of the liquid pumped along the channels using the electrode patches at junctions between the channels.