Method of using actuators for microfluidics without moving parts

A method of performing a chemical or biochemical reaction in a droplet, comprising:

• providing a device comprising:
• a housing having an internal volume filled with a liquid;
• a plurality of adjacent, electrically isolated lower electrodes positioned in the housing, wherein sequential lower electrodes have substantially contiguous, hydrophobic surfaces, the lower electrodes defining a droplet travel path;
• and
• at least one electrically isolated upper electrode positioned in the housing opposite the lower electrodes, the upper electrode being covered with a hydrophobic surface;
• introducing an electrolytic droplet immiscible with said liquid into the housing and onto a hydrophobic surface of a first lower electrode, the electrolytic droplet containing at least one reactive material;
• applying an electrical potential to a second lower electrode adjacent the first lower electrode sufficient to cause the hydrophobic surface thereof to become temporarily more hydrophilic, thereby inducing the electrolytic droplet to move from the first electrode to the second electrode;
• repeating the applying step to continue inducing movement of the electrolytic droplet between adjacent electrodes along the droplet travel path to a predetermined location thereon;
• and
• carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction utilizing the reactive material contained in the electrolytic droplet.