Field programmable fluidic array

A method for processing a fluid comprising the steps of

• defining a fluid network through which the fluid passes, the fluid moving through the fluid network defined by network components which engage the passing fluid and control a path of the fluid;
• providing in the fluid network at least one of the network components which is a movable fluidic network component, a position and/or orientation of which controls the path of the fluid through the fluid network;
• attaching to said at least one movable fluidic network component at least one included magnetic object;
• applying a sequence of magnetic fields using a magnetic array to said at least one movable fluidic network component;
• wherein said magnetic fields interact with the included magnetic object to produce a force on the movable fluidic network component and thereby cause movement of said at least one movable fluidic network component from a first condition to a second condition in the fluid network to modify the fluid network;
• wherein said at least one movable fluidic network component draws electric power from the fluid network to perform an operation on said fluid.

A method for processing a fluid comprising the steps of

• defining a fluid network through which the fluid passes, the fluid moving through the fluid network defined by network components which engage the passing fluid and control a path of the fluid;
• providing in the fluid network at least one of the network components which is a movable fluidic network component, a position and/or orientation of which controls the path of the fluid through the fluid network;
• attaching to said at least one movable fluidic network component at least one included magnetic object;
• applying a sequence of magnetic fields using a magnetic array to said at least one movable fluidic network component;
• wherein said magnetic fields interact with the included magnetic object to produce a force on the movable fluidic network component and thereby cause movement of said at least one movable fluidic network component;
• wherein said fluid network comprises an injection molding system including a mold frame with a shaped cavity for forming a molded object from a molding material therein.

A method for processing a fluid comprising the steps of

• defining a fluid network through which the fluid passes, the fluid moving through the fluid network defined by network components which engage the passing fluid and control a path of the fluid;
• providing in the fluid network at least one of the network components which is a movable fluidic network component, a position and/or orientation of which controls the path of the fluid through the fluid network;
• attaching to said at least one movable fluidic network component at least one included magnetic object;
• applying a sequence of magnetic fields using a magnetic array to said at least one movable fluidic network component;
• wherein said magnetic fields interact with the included magnetic object to produce a force on the movable fluidic network component and thereby cause movement of said at least one movable fluidic network component from a first condition to a second condition in the fluid network to modify the fluid network;
• wherein said movable fluidic network component in the second condition acts to block or regulate flow of the fluid.

A method for processing a fluid comprising the steps of

• defining a fluid network through which the fluid passes, the fluid moving through the fluid network defined by network components which engage the passing fluid and control a path of the fluid;
• providing in the fluid network at least one of the network components which is a movable fluidic network component, a position and/or orientation of which controls the path of the fluid through the fluid network;
• attaching to said at least one movable fluidic network component at least one included magnetic object;
• applying a sequence of magnetic fields using a magnetic array to said at least one movable fluidic network component;
• wherein said magnetic fields interact with the included magnetic object to produce a force on the movable fluidic network component and thereby cause movement of said at least one movable fluidic network component from a first condition to a second condition in the fluid network to modify the fluid network;
• wherein said movable fluidic network component in the second condition acts to split fluid flow from one path portion of said path to a plurality of path portions of said path.

A method for processing a fluid comprising the steps of

• defining a fluid network through which the fluid passes, the fluid moving through the fluid network defined by network components which engage the passing fluid and control a path of the fluid;
• providing in the fluid network at least one of the network components which is a movable fluidic network component, a position and/or orientation of which controls the path of the fluid through the fluid network;
• attaching to said at least one movable fluidic network component at least one included magnetic object;
• applying a sequence of magnetic fields using a magnetic array to said at least one movable fluidic network component;
• wherein said magnetic fields interact with the included magnetic object to produce a force on the movable fluidic network component and thereby cause movement of said at least one movable fluidic network component from a first condition to a second condition in the fluid network to modify the fluid network;
• wherein said movable fluidic network component in the second condition acts to join a plurality of fluid path portions of said path.