Palo Alto Research Center Inc.

Xerox Corporation

Jürgen H Daniel

Meng H Lean

Armin Rainer Völkel

Naveen Chopra

Peter Michael Kazmaier

Jeng Ping Lu

Dirk De Bruyker

Huangpin Ben Hsieh

Scott Eugene Solberg

Scott J Limb

Michael I Recht

Bryan Thomas Preas

Jackson H Ho

An apparatus for merging and mixing two droplets using electrostatic forces includes a substrate on which are disposed a first originating electrode, a center electrode, and a second originating electrode. The electrodes are disposed such that a first gap is formed between the first originating electrode and the center electrode and a second gap is formed between the second originating electrode and the center electrode. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. A first droplet is deposited asymmetrically across the first gap, and a second droplet is deposited asymmetrically across the second gap. Voltage potentials are placed across the first gap and second gap, respectively, whereby each droplet is moved toward the other such that they collide together, causing the droplets to merge and mix, and causing oscillations within the collided droplet.

Apparatus and method for improved electrostatic drop merging and mixing

A fluidic system and method includes a channel reservoir which holds 1.5 milliliters or less of fluid. The agitation mechanism, which is partially integrated with the channel or reservoir, includes a fiber or rod at least partially situated within the channel or reservoir, and which acts to move or vibrate to stir and/or agitate fluid within the channel or reservoir. The fluid is then extracted from an extraction area following the agitation or stirring operation.

Fluid stirring mechanism

Various traveling wave grid configurations are disclosed. The grids and systems are well suited for transporting, separating, and classifying small particles dispersed in liquid or gaseous media. Also disclosed are various separation strategies and purification cells utilizing such traveling wave arrays and strategies.

Traveling wave arrays, separation methods, and purification cells

A system and method extracts/deposits fluid and includes a pipette having a pipette body portion and a pipette tip. A stirring/agitation mechanism including a fiber or a rod extends through the interior of the pipette tip, wherein a fiber end or rod end of the fiber or rod, extends out of a narrowed end of the pipette tip, and the fiber end or rod end is configured to stir or agitate the fluid.

Pipette with agitation feature

Methods and systems for separating encapsulated particles from empty shells. One method involves providing a mixture including at least one dipolar particle encapsulated in a shell and at least one shell which does not encapsulate a dipolar particle. The mixture is positioned in a spatially inhomogeneous electric or magnetic field and at least one encapsulated dipolar particle is isolated from the mixture.

Separation of encapsulated particles from empty shells

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Jürgen H Daniel