FREQUENCY-ADDRESSABLE APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ACTUATION OF LIQUIDS

摘要

Mechanisms of actuation of a semi-insulative working fluid by electromechanical forces based on electrowetting-on-dielectpc (EWOD) and liquid dielectrophoresis (liquid DEP) that are controlled by the frequency, but not the magnitude, of an AC voltage (i.e, 'frequency addressable') are disclosed. A single, frequency addressable electrode pair includes at least one electrode that has a spatially-varying dielectric coating thickness and thus a spatially-varying electrode gap wherein a volume of a working fluid can reside under no influence of an applied voltage. A frequency-addressable, bistable apparatus includes at least one wider gap and one narrower gap associated with dielectric coating of varying thickness on the electrode(s). The working fluid resides In only one gap under the influence of capillary force A bnef burst of AC voltage moves the liquid from one gap region to another.