Liquid-electronic hybrid divider

US9132425B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Inventors

• Weijia Wen · Hong Kong, CN
• Limu Wang · Kowloon, CN
• Xiang Wang · 安丰镇, CN
• Shunbo Li · Ma On Shan, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 11, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 15, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/206
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Electronic-fluidic hybrid form dividers, constructed by a simple planer droplet generation structure, a pair of signal electrodes, and a responsive control valve, which is programmed to respond to only certain signal droplets, by a basic electronic principle: change of voltage share between impedances. Detected fluidic information is addressed in both electronic and fluidic forms, and the fluidic pathway is well-confined in a simple planar structure, although its control valve is in a second layer, thereby minimizing any fluidic disturbance. Various configurations comprise a plurality of identical structures, which can alter their cumulative function by re-assignment of required voltage share. The hybrid divider can be assembled into a fluidic universal logic gate, of a simple two inlet and one outlet signal channels structure, and switch between sixteen functions by re-assigning voltage share.