Fluidic logic gates and apparatus for controlling flow of ER fluid in a channel

A device, comprising:

• a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel for conveyance of fluids, wherein the first channel is adapted to convey a carrier fluid of a first dielectric constant or conductivity and a droplet of a second dielectric constant or conductivity via the carrier fluid;
• a first electrode proximate to a first portion of the first channel and arranged opposite a second electrode proximate to a second portion of the first channel;
• a third electrode proximate to a first portion of the second channel and arranged opposite a fourth electrode proximate to a second portion of the second channel, wherein an electrical connection is formed by a conductor between the second electrode and the third electrode;
• and
• a fifth electrode proximate to a first portion of the third channel and arranged opposite a sixth electrode proximate to a second portion of the third channel, wherein the sixth electrode is electrically connected to the second electrode and third electrode, and wherein a change in a first voltage between the first and second electrodes affects a second voltage between the third and fourth electrodes relative to a third voltage between the fifth and sixth electrodes.

A fluidic NOT logic device, comprising:

• a control channel for conveying a carrier fluid and a bubble of a control fluid;
• a switchable channel for conveying an electrorheological (ER) fluid;
• an inverter channel for conveying a dielectric fluid;
• a first electrode proximate to a first portion of the control channel and arranged opposite a second electrode proximate to a second portion of the control channel;
• a third electrode proximate to a first portion of the switchable channel and arranged opposite a fourth electrode proximate to a second portion of the switchable channel, wherein an electrical connection is formed by a conductor between the second electrode and the third electrode;
• and
• a fifth electrode proximate to a first portion of the inverter channel and arranged opposite a sixth electrode proximate to a second portion of the inverter channel,
• wherein an inverter voltage, between the fifth and sixth electrodes of the inverter channel conveying the dielectric fluid, effects a switching voltage, between the third and fourth electrodes of the switchable channel conveying the ER fluid,
• wherein a viscosity of the ER fluid increases when a first control voltage, between the first and second electrodes of the control channel conveying the carrier fluid and the bubble of the control fluid, results from the carrier fluid being present between first and second electrodes, and
• wherein the viscosity of the ER fluid decreases when a second control voltage, between the first and second electrodes of the control channel conveying the carrier fluid and the bubble of the control fluid, results from the bubble of the control fluid being between the first and second electrodes.