Apparatuses and methods for manipulating droplets

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for manipulating droplets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided, the apparatus including a substrate, multiple arrays of electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein corresponding electrodes in each array are connected to a common electrical signal, and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate first side surface and patterned to cover the electrodes.

主权项

1. A method for actuating a droplet, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a droplet on a surface of a printed circuit board substrate, the surface comprising an array of electrodes, wherein the droplet is initially disposed on a first one of the electrodes and is adjacent to a second one of the electrodes separated from the first electrode by a first gap; (b) providing an electrical input in connection with the array of electrodes in a manner that permits a voltage to be applied to one or more of the electrodes in the array; and (c) biasing the first electrode to a first voltage and the second electrode to a second voltage different from the first voltage whereby the droplet moves towards the second electrode.