Method and apparatus for acoustically controlling liquid solutions in microfluidic devices
US6948843B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC40B60/14
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Acoustic energy is used to control motion in a fluid. According to one embodiment, the invention directs acoustic energy at selected naturally occurring nucleation features to control motion in the fluid. In another embodiment, the invention provides focussed or unfocussed acoustic energy to selectively placed nucleation features to control fluid motion. According to one embodiment, the invention includes an acoustic source, a controller for controlling operation of the acoustic source, and one or more nucleation features located proximate to or in the fluid to be controlled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.