| 摘要 |
In one embodiment, the present invention provides an improved liquid dispenser suitable for dispensing a small volume of liquid. The liquid dispenser has a capillary channel suitable for aspirating and retaining a predetermined and repeatable volume of liquid via capillary action. To dispense retained liquid, the capillary channel is accelerated and then abruptly decelerated. Liquid is supplied to the capillary channel via a liquid-supply conduit that is in fluid communication therewith. When the capillary channel is abruptly decelerated during the dispensing operation, liquid within the capillary channel is momentarily "sheared" or separated from liquid within liquid-supply conduit. After such "shearing," liquid flow is reestablished under capillary action, and the emptied capillary channel is thereby refilled. The refilling operation occurs "automatically" and without the need for a repositioning operation (i.e., moving the capillary channel to a liquid reservoir to aspire additional liquid) as in the prior art.
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