Microfluidic device including a micropump

Abstract

Microfluidic devices are disclosed. The microfluidic devices comprise pumps and mixers in which a microrotor rotated by coupled dipoles induced by alternating electric fields moves fluids in which it is immersed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A microfluidic device for moving a fluid comprising: 
 a polarizeable microrotor having a polarizability different than that of the fluid disposed in said fluid,    a polarizeable member electrostatically coupled to said microrotor,    spaced electrodes for applying an alternating electric field to said rotor and said member to induce alternating dipole fields in said rotor and coupled member whereby the coupled dipole fields interact to cause rotation of said microrotor to produce movement of said fluid.    
     
     
         2 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 1  in which said member is a second rotor.  
     
     
         3 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 1  wherein said fluid is disposed in a well whereby rotation of said microrotor mixes fluids in said well.  
     
     
         4 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 1  wherein said fluid is disposed in a microchannel and said member is a protrusion on the wall of said microchannel, whereby rotation of said microrotor pumps fluid along said channel.  
     
     
         5 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 1  wherein said fluid is disposed in a microchannel and said member is a second microrotor whereby rotation of said microrotor pumps fluid along said channel.  
     
     
         6 . A microfluidic device including: 
 a dielectric motor,    a coupled member,    electrodes on opposite sides of said rotor and coupled member for applying electric fields to said rotor and coupled member, and    means for applying alternating voltages to said electrodes thereby inducing alternating dipole fields in said rotor and member which interact to cause rotation of said dielectric rotor.    
     
     
         7 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 6  in which said microrotor is disposed in a fluid whereby rotation of said microrotor causes movement of said fluid.  
     
     
         8 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 7  in which the microrotor is disposed in a microchannel and rotation of said microrotor pumps fluid along said channel.  
     
     
         9 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 7  in which the microrotor is disposed in a well to mix fluids in said well.  
     
     
         10 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 8  or  9  in which the coupled member is a protrusion in the wall of said microchannel or wall to position said microrotor.  
     
     
         11 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 8  or  9  in which said microrotor is positioned in coupled relationship to said member by optical tweezers.  
     
     
         12 . A microfluidic device as in  claim 6 ,  7 ,  8  or  9  in which said coupled member comprises a second microrotor and said microrotors are maintained in coupled relationship by optical tweezers.