The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Limu Wang

Weijia Wen

Xiang Wang

Mengying Zhang

Shunbo Li

An apparatus for controlling flow of ER fluid. The apparatus has a first channelfor conveying carrier fluidof a first dielectric constant and dropletsof a second dielectric constant in the carrier fluid. The apparatus further comprises a second channelconveying the ER fluid and a first conductorfor conveying an electrical potential from the second channel to the first channel. A circuitis provided for applying potential difference between the first and second channels. When a droplet is present in the first channel, the ER fluid is solidified in the second channel; when no droplet is present, the ER fluid flows as liquid in the second channel. Therefore the apparatus acts as an IF gate. Arrangements for other types of fluidic logic gate are also disclosed.

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

Electronic-fluidic hybrid form dividers, constructed by a simple planer droplet generation structure, a pair of signal electrodes, and a responsive control valve, which is programmed to respond to only certain signal droplets, by a basic electronic principle: change of voltage share between impedances. Detected fluidic information is addressed in both electronic and fluidic forms, and the fluidic pathway is well-confined in a simple planar structure, although its control valve is in a second layer, thereby minimizing any fluidic disturbance. Various configurations comprise a plurality of identical structures, which can alter their cumulative function by re-assignment of required voltage share. The hybrid divider can be assembled into a fluidic universal logic gate, of a simple two inlet and one outlet signal channels structure, and switch between sixteen functions by re-assigning voltage share.

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Hong Kong, China

Limu Wang