Electro-osmotically driven liquid delivery method and apparatus

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872464

Rakestraw, David J ^[1]; Anex, Deon S ^[2]; Yan, Chao ^[3]; Dadoo, Rajeev ^[4]; Zare, Richard N ^[4]

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1. Fremont, CA
2. Livermore, CA
3. Pleasanton, CA
4. Stanford, CA

Method and apparatus for controlling precisely the composition and delivery of liquid at sub-.mu.L/min flow rate. One embodiment of such a delivery system is an electro-osmotically driven gradient flow delivery system that generates dynamic gradient flows with sub-.mu.L/min flow rates by merging a plurality of electro-osmotic flows. These flows are delivered by a plurality of delivery arms attached to a mixing connector, where they mix and then flow into a receiving means, preferably a column. Each inlet of the plurality of delivery arms is placed in a corresponding solution reservoir. A plurality of independent programmable high-voltage power supplies is used to apply a voltage program to each of the plurality of solution reservoirs to regulate the electro-osmotic flow in each delivery arm. The electro-osmotic flow rates in the delivery arms are changed with time according to each voltage program to deliver the required gradient profile to the column.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Livermore, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5942093
• OSTI ID: 872464
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electro-osmotically
driven
liquid
delivery
method
apparatus
controlling
precisely
composition
sub-
flow
rate
embodiment
gradient
generates
dynamic
flows
rates
merging
plurality
electro-osmotic
delivered
arms
attached
mixing
connector
mix
receiving
means
preferably
column
inlet
placed
corresponding
solution
reservoir
independent
programmable
high-voltage
power
supplies
apply
voltage
reservoirs
regulate
arm
changed
time
according
deliver
required
profile
voltage power
flow rates
flow rate
receiving means
power supplies
electro-osmotic flow
liquid delivery
electro-osmotically driven
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