Method and device for generating microconvections

US7399395B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Evotec Technologies GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Schnelle · Berlin, DE
• Torsten Müller · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 9, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 15, 2008
• Expiry date: May 7, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2400/0442
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for generating a convective liquid motion in a fluidic microsystem. According to this method, a liquid in a microsystem is simultaneously exposed to an electrical field and a thermal gradient. The electrical field is generated by means of an electrode arrangement which is subjected to a time-variant voltage. In this way, a time variant electrical field is formed in the liquid volume. The thermal gradient is produced by means of at least one radiation absorber located in the compartment which is exposed to at least one external radiation field.