| abstract |
An electronic-fluidic hybrid divider is provided, which is constructed by a simple planer droplet generation structure, a pair of signal electrodes (30, 31), and a responsive control valve, which is programmed to respond to only certain signal droplets (50), by a basic electronic principle: change of voltage share between impedances. Detected fluidic information is addressed in both electronic and fluidic forms, and a 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 functions 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. Complex logic functions can be achieved by a cascaded plurality of identical hybrid dividers, and a different logic function can be achieved by merely re-assigning the voltage share scheme. |