Methods and devices for carrying out chemical reactions

A method for carrying out multiple chemical reactions, said method comprising:

• (a) bringing a device into proximity with a reaction medium, said reaction medium comprising reagents for carrying out said chemical reactions, said device comprising (i) a semiconductor substrate, (ii) a plurality of electrodes supported by said semiconductor substrate, (iii) a plurality of cells within said semiconductor substrate, (iv) a plurality of digital analog converters, each electrically coupled to a respective electrode and each being present on said semiconductor substrate and associated with a respective cell, (v) address decoders in communication with each of said cells, (vi) a data bus for delivering binary numerical data to each of said cells, (vii) address buses for delivering addresses to said address decoders, and (viii) storage means in each of said cells for storing said numerical data, said storage means being in communication with said digital analog converter in said cell,
• (b) sending binary numerical data to said storage means of each of said cells by means of said data bus, said binary numerical data being representative of an electric signal, and
• (c) sending addresses to said address decoders whereby said binary numerical data is stored in said storage means and electric signals are selectively applied to each of said electrodes by means of said digital analog converters and a chemical reaction takes place proximal to and in response to the field at said electrodes.

A device comprising:

• (a) a semiconductor substrate,
• (b) at least one surface for carrying out chemical reactions,
• (c) a plurality of electrodes supported by said semiconductor substrate,
• (d) a plurality of cells within said semiconductor substrate,
• (e) a plurality of digital analog converters, each electrically coupled to a respective electrode and each being present on said semiconductor substrate and associated with a respective cell,
• (f) address decoders in communication with each of said cells,
• (g) a data bus for delivering an item of numerical data to each of said cells,
• (h) address buses for delivering addresses to said address decoders, and
• (i) storage means in each of said cells for storing said item of numerical data, said storage means being in communication with said digital analog converter in said cell.

A chip for electronically addressing a matrix of sites, each site to which may be directed a chemical reaction;

• said chip comprising:
• (a) a semiconductor substrate;
• (b) a matrix of electronic circuit cells fabricated within said semiconductor substrate,
• (c) address decoders for activating a cell in response to an address applied to said chip;
• (d) a data bus for delivering binary numerical data to said cells;
• (e) storage means in each of said cells for storing binary numerical data from the data bus when activated by addresses decoded by said address decoders,
• (f) digital to-analog conversion means in each cell for converting binary numerical data into an electrical signal;
• (g) an electrode plate connected to each of said digital-to-analog conversion means, wherein electrical signals representative of said binary numerical data are selectively applied to each of said electrode plates for the purpose of inducing, when the device is placed proximal to a chemical medium, selective chemical activity according to the binary numerical data provided.