Hydrophobic surface for storage, analysis and handling of minute droplets, is populated with sub-surface electrodes producing electrical fields

摘要

The ultraphobic surface of the plate (1) is open on top. It carries a pattern of uniformly-distributed electrodes (5) for electrical field production. These are located below the ultraphobic surface. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) depositing liquid droplets by spraying and electrostatic attraction; (2) minimizing fluid loss and mass transport phenomena at a drop during movement and storage, in which surface energy between surface and drop is minimized; (3) droplet location and size measurement from periodic voltage variation with determination of current and phase shifts; and (4) location by reflection or microscopy. These methods can be combined.