Abstract: A series of microactuators for manipulating small quantities of liquids, and methods of using these for manipulating liquids, are disclosed. The microactuators are based on the phenomenon of electrowetting and contain no moving parts. The force acting on the liquid is a potential-dependent gradient of adhesion energy between the liquid and a solid insulating surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for inducing movement of an electrolytic droplet includes: a housing having an internal volume filled with a liquid immiscible with an electrolytic droplet; a distribution plate positioned within the chamber having an aperture and dividing the housing into upper and lower chambers; a lower electrode positioned below the lower chamber and the aperture in the distribution plate and being separated from the lower chamber by an overlying hydrophobic insulative layer; an upper electrode located above the upper chamber and the aperture of the distribution plate and being separated from the upper chamber by an underlying hydrophobic insulative layer; and first, second and third voltage generators that are electrically connected to, respectively, the lower and upper electrodes and the distribution plate.

Abstract: A series of microactuators for manipulating small quantities of liquids, and methods of using these for manipulating liquids, are disclosed. The microactuators are based on the phenomenon of electrowetting and contain no moving parts. The force acting on the liquid is a potential-dependent gradient of adhesion energy between the liquid and a solid insulating surface.