Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a continuous body of a first liquid is provided in direct contact with a first substrate. A second liquid covers the first liquid. A separation fluid, immiscible with the first liquid, is propelled through at least the first liquid and into contact with the first substrate along all of a selected path on the surface of the first substrate. First liquid that was initially in contact with all of the selected path is displaced away from the selected path. The first liquid is divided to form sub-bodies of first liquid that are separated from each other. For each of one or more of the sub-bodies, a sub-body footprint represents an area of contact between the sub-body and the first substrate, and all of a boundary of the sub-body footprint is in contact with a closed loop of the selected path surrounding the sub-body footprint.

Abstract: A microfluidic arrangement for manipulating fluids is provided. The microfluidic arrangement comprises a substrate, a first fluid and a second fluid, which is immiscible with the first fluid. The first fluid is arranged to be at least partially covered by the second fluid. The first fluid is arranged in a desired shape on an unpatterned surface of the substrate. The first fluid is retained in said shape by a fluid interface between the first and second fluids. A microfluidic arrangement comprising an array of drops is also provided. The microfluidic arrangement comprises a substrate, a first fluid and a second fluid, which is immiscible with the first fluid. The first fluid is arranged to be at least partially covered by the second fluid. The first fluid is arranged to be covered at least partially by the second fluid. The first fluid is arranged in a given array of drops on an unpatterned surface of the substrate. Each drop cross section area having a (height:width) aspect ratio of (1:2) or less.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing and operating a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a continuous body of a first liquid is provided in direct contact with a first substrate. A second liquid is provided in direct contact with the continuous body of first liquid and covering the continuous body of first liquid, the second liquid being immiscible with the first liquid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for driving flow in a microfluidic arrangement are provided. In one disclosed arrangement, the microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the elongate conduit defines a conduit footprint. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the first reservoir defines a first reservoir footprint. The size and shape of each of the conduit footprint and the first reservoir footprint are such that a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the elongate conduit without any change in the conduit footprint is higher than a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the first reservoir without any change in the first reservoir footprint.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flow in a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. A second liquid is in direct contact with the first liquid and covers the microfluidic pattern. A flow of liquid is driven through the elongate conduit into the first reservoir.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a continuous body of a first liquid is provided in direct contact with a first substrate. A second liquid covers the first liquid. A separation fluid, immiscible with the first liquid, is propelled through at least the first liquid and into contact with the first substrate along all of a selected path on the surface of the first substrate. First liquid that was initially in contact with all of the selected path is displaced away from the selected path. The first liquid is divided to form sub-bodies of first liquid that are separated from each other. For each of one or more of the sub-bodies, a sub-body footprint represents an area of contact between the sub-body and the first substrate, and all of a boundary of the sub-body footprint is in contact with a closed loop of the selected path surrounding the sub-body footprint.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for driving flow in a microfluidic arrangement are provided. In one disclosed arrangement, the microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the elongate conduit defines a conduit footprint. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the first reservoir defines a first reservoir footprint. The size and shape of each of the conduit footprint and the first reservoir footprint are such that a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the elongate conduit without any change in the conduit footprint is higher than a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the first reservoir without any change in the first reservoir footprint.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement a continuous body of a first liquid is provided in direct contact with a substrate. A second liquid is provided in direct contact with the first liquid and covering the first liquid. The first liquid is in direct contact exclusively with the second liquid and the substrate. The second liquid is forced through the first liquid and into contact with the substrate in selected regions of the substrate in order to divide the continuous body of the first liquid into a plurality of sub-bodies of the first liquid that are separated from each other by the second liquid. The first liquid is immiscible with the second liquid. Surface tension stably holds the plurality of sub-bodies of the first liquid separated from each other by the second liquid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flow in a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. A second liquid is in direct contact with the first liquid and covers the microfluidic pattern. A flow of liquid is driven through the elongate conduit into the first reservoir.

Abstract: A microfluidic arrangement for manipulating fluids is provided. The microfluidic arrangement comprises a substrate, a first fluid and a second fluid, which is immiscible with the first fluid. The first fluid is arranged to be at least partially covered by the second fluid. The first fluid is arranged in a desired shape on an unpatterned surface of the substrate. The first fluid is retained in said shape by a fluid interface between the first and second fluids. A microfluidic arrangement comprising an array of drops is also provided. The microfluidic arrangement comprises a substrate, a first fluid and a second fluid, which is immiscible with the first fluid. The first fluid is arranged to be at least partially covered by the second fluid. The first fluid is arranged to be covered at least partially by the second fluid. The first fluid is arranged in a given array of drops on an unpatterned surface of the substrate. Each drop cross section area having a (height:width) aspect ratio of (1:2) or less.