Abstract: The present disclosure provides various means for optimizing fluid transport in micro and nanofluidic devices. Such means may be used to construct fluidic devices specifically suited to particular tasks such as molecular and biomolecular sensing and analysis, biosensors for clinical diagnostics; memory devices; screening devices for pharmaceutical applications; the provision of biologically functionalized surfaces; high throughput screening for pharmaceutical applications; controlled drug delivery; medical diagnosis; environmental monitoring; chemical and biological warfare agent sequestration; actuator development; power sources; transistors; diodes; electrochemical pumps; and bio-fuel cell development. The present disclosure further provides methods of controlling the direction of electric current and fluid flow in such devices.