Patent · US Active

Electrowetting and electrofluidic devices with laplace barriers and related methods

US9180454B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
1References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 13, 2010
Grant dateNov 10, 2015
Priority date—
Expiry dateFeb 27, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01L3/502715
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Electrowetting and electrofluidic devices and methods. The device includes a hydrophobic channel formed between first and second substrates and a polar fluid and a non-polar fluid contained in the channel. An electrode with a dielectric layer is electrically connected to a voltage source. A Laplace barrier within the hydrophobic channel defines a fluid pathway that is open to the movement of the polar fluid within the channel. The polar fluid moves to a first position when the voltage source is biased at a first voltage that is less than or equal to a threshold voltage. The polar fluid moves to a second position when the voltage source is biased with a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.