Electrochemical fluidic valve and devices containing the same
AssigneeSwitchback Systems, Inc.
InventorsMary S. Noé, Eugene P. Marsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fluidic systems and devices include at least one reaction channel, the at least one reaction channel comprising: a working electrode; a counter electrode disposed at a distance from the working electrode; and a channel electrically connected to both the working electrode and the counter electrode, wherein a voltage applied to the working electrode relative to the counter electrode will cause the solubility of the polysaccharide in the solution to change thereby modulating flow in, out or both of the channel.
Claims20
A fluidic device comprising:
- a plurality of reaction channels in the form of an array, each reaction channel comprising:
- a working electrode;
- a counter electrode disposed at a distance from the working electrode;
- and
- a channel electrically connected to both the working electrode and the counter electrode, the channel comprising a first end and a second end;
- wherein the counter electrodes of each reaction channel are a single structure comprising a plate covering one major surface of the array, and
- wherein flow through the plurality of reaction channels is controllable by controlling a voltage applied to the working electrode relative to the counter electrode.
A fluidic system comprising the fluidic device and a solution within the fluidic device,
- the fluidic device comprising:
- a working electrode;
- a porous metal membrane formed in electrical contact with the working electrode;
- and
- a valve comprising the solution in contact with the porous metal membrane and the working electrode,
- the solution comprising a flow control compound and an electrolyte,
- wherein solubility of the flow control compound in the solution is configured to change upon application of a voltage to the working electrode.
A method of modulating flow in a plurality of reaction channels in the form of an array, each reaction channel comprising:
- a working electrode;
- a counter electrode;
- and
- a channel, wherein the channel is electrically connected to both the working electrode and the counter electrode, and the working electrode is electrically isolated and disposed at a distance from the counter electrode, the channel comprising a first end and a second end;
- wherein the counter electrodes of each reaction channel are a single structure comprising a plate covering one major surface of the array,
- the method comprising:
- adding a solution into the plurality of reaction channels, the solution comprising a flow control compound and an electrolyte;
- and
- applying a first voltage to the working electrodes relative to the counter electrodes, wherein application of the voltage modulates flow in, out, or both in and out of the plurality of reaction channels by affecting solubility of the flow control compound.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.