Acoustically mediated fluid transfer methods and uses thereof

A method for transferring small amounts of a source fluid from a pool selected from one of a plurality of pools of source fluid located on a first surface of a source fluid containment structure, to a separate target structure without physically contacting said source fluid, said method comprising propagating an acoustic wave through said source fluid such that a single droplet of fluid is ejected from the surface of said pool with sufficient energy to bring said droplet into contact with said target, wherein

• a) said acoustic wave is propagated from a piezoelectric transducer,
• b) said piezoelectric transducer is in contact with said source fluid containment structure via a coupling medium interposed between said piezoelectric transducer and a second surface of said source fluid containment structure,
• c) said second surface of said source fluid containment structure is opposite said pool, and
• d) said target is opposite said surface of said pool.

A system for performing non-contact transfer of small amounts of source fluid, comprising:

• a source fluid containment structure;
• a movable stage, configured to support the source fluid containment structure;
• an acoustic liquid deposition emitter in operative contact with the source fluid containment structure;
• a coupling medium interposed between the deposition emitter and the source fluid containment structure;
• a fluid level detector for detecting a level or volume of fluid in a source fluid containment structure;
• a lens in operative association with the acoustic liquid deposition emitter for focusing an acoustic wave;
• and
• a computer in operable communication with the acoustic liquid deposition emitter for varying one or more of frequency of the acoustic wave;
• voltage of an energy source used to excite the acoustic liquid deposition emitter;
• duration of an energy source used to excite the acoustic liquid deposition emitter, or location of the stage relative to the acoustic deposition emitter;
• and wherein the computer comprises a computer implemented algorithm for adjusting one or more of:
• frequency of the acoustic wave;
• voltage of an energy source used to excite the acoustic liquid deposition emitter;
• duration of an energy source used to excite the acoustic liquid deposition emitter, or location of the stage relative to the acoustic deposition emitter in response to a change in fluid level or volume detected by the fluid level detector.