System and method for high throughput processing of droplets

A method of high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets, the method comprising:

• a) hanging each droplet from a dispenser;
• b) bringing each droplet into momentary contact with a moving surface having a probe, such that each droplet is deposited onto the probe through surface attraction;
• c) applying an alternating current to the probe so as to cause the probe to vibrate such that each droplet is atomized;
• and
• d) analyzing a characteristic of each droplet.

A method of high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets, the method comprising:

• a) dispensing each droplet into an enclosed volume, the enclosed volume having an exit channel, the enclosed volume incorporated into a moving conveyer;
• b) heating each droplet in the enclosed volume such that the expansion of the droplet causes it to be ejected through the exit channel in the form of an atomized spray;
• and
• c) analyzing a characteristic of the atomized spray by means of mass spectrometry.

A method for high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets, the method comprising:

• a) spooling a laminate onto a moving surface;
• b) dispensing each droplet onto the laminate;
• and
• c) performing on each droplet at least one operation from the group of operations consisting of mixing, diluting, concentration, heating, cooling, humidifying, filtering, and analyzing.

A system for high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets, the system comprising:

• a) a movable surface that is substantially unperforated;
• b) a dispenser for dispensing each droplet onto the surface;
• and
• c) a delay line for moving the surface such that the each droplet hangs from the surface for at least a specified minimum period of time, the droplet adhering to the surface by virtue, at least in part, of surface attraction.

A system of high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets, the system comprising:

• a) a moving surface;
• b) a dispenser for dispensing each droplet onto the moving surface;
• and
• c) a tracking system for tracking each droplet's position.

A system for high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets, the system comprising:

• a) a moving surface;
• b) a laminate spooled to the moving surface;
• c) a dispenser, for dispensing each droplet onto the laminate;
• and
• d) a means for performing on each droplet at least one operation from the group of operations consisting of mixing, diluting, concentrating, heating, cooling, humidifying, filtering, and analyzing.

A system for high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets, the system comprising:

• a) a movable surface that is substantially unperforated;
• b) a dispenser for dispensing each droplet onto the surface;
• and
• c) a delay line such that each droplet hangs from the surface for a period of time, wherein the force acting to counter gravity is predominantly non-shearing.