Method and apparatus for controlling multi-fluid flow in a micro channel

A method for controlling fluid flow in a micro channel, wherein the micro channel is operatively and fluidically connected to a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the method comprising:

• supplying a first fluid through the first inlet under pressurized flow to the micro channel;
• supplying a second fluid through the second inlet under pressurized flow to the micro channel;
• flowing the first fluid along the micro channel to the first outlet;
• flowing the second fluid along the micro channel to the second outlet;
• providing a first interface between the first fluid and the second fluid in the micro channel;
• and
• applying a first electric field using a pair of electrodes to control a flow velocity of the first fluid along the micro channel, a location of the first interface across a width of the micro channel, and a residence time of the first and second fluids in the micro channel.

An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a micro channel, the apparatus comprising:

• a first inlet for a first fluid;
• a second inlet for a second fluid;
• a first outlet;
• a second outlet;
• electrodes;
• and
• the micro channel, wherein the micro channel is operatively and fluidically connected to the first inlet, the second inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet, the micro channel receives the first fluid and the second fluid under pressurized flow, an interface is between the first fluid and the second fluid in the micro channel, and the electrodes apply an electric field that controls a flow velocity of the first fluid along the micro channel, a residence time of the first and second fluids in the micro channel, a location of the interface across a width of the micro channel, a curved shape of the interface, and a focal length and a position of the curved shape.

A method for controlling fluid flow in a micro channel, wherein the micro channel is operatively and fluidically connected to a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the method comprising:

• supplying a first fluid through the first inlet under pressurized flow to the micro channel;
• supplying a second fluid through the second inlet under pressurized flow to the micro channel;
• flowing the first fluid along the micro channel to the first outlet;
• flowing the second fluid along the micro channel to the second outlet;
• providing an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid in the micro channel;
• controlling a flow velocity of the first fluid along the micro channel using an electric field applied by the electrodes;
• controlling a residence time of the first fluid in the micro channel using an electric field applied by the electrodes;
• controlling a residence time of the second fluid in the micro channel using an electric field applied by the electrodes;
• controlling a location of the interface across a width of the micro channel using an electric field applied by the electrodes;
• controlling a curved shape of the interface using an electric field applied by the electrodes;
• and
• controlling a focal length and a position of the curved shape using an electric field applied by the electrodes.

An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a micro channel, the apparatus comprising:

• a first inlet for a first fluid;
• a second inlet for a second fluid;
• a first outlet;
• a second outlet;
• electrodes;
• and
• the micro channel, wherein the micro channel is operatively and fluidically connected to the first inlet, the second inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet, the micro channel receives the first fluid and the second fluid under pressurized flow from the first inlet and the second inlet, respectively, an interface is between the first fluid and the second fluid in the micro channel, and the electrodes apply an electric field that controls a flow velocity of the first fluid in the micro channel, a form and a position of the interface in the micro channel, a location of the interface across a width of the micro channel, a residence time of the first fluid in the micro channel and a residence time of the second fluid in the micro channel.