Abstract: The disclosure depicts a novel gas switch comprising a membrane having at least one passageway separating a first gas containing region from a second gas containing region. The gas switch also comprises a liquid having a low vapor pressure contained at least within the passageway of the membrane. The liquid is contained in the passageway when a pressure difference between the first and second regions is less than a first predetermined value, thereby preventing a gas exchange between the first and second regions. When the pressure difference across the membrane exceeds a second predetermined value the liquid substantially flows out of the passageway, thereby opening the passageway for a gas exchange between the first and second regions; and when the pressure difference across the membrane is reestablished at a value less than the first predetermined value, the fluid flows back into the passageway thereby closing the passageway and ending the gas exchange between the first and second region.