The present invention concerns a novel means by which liquids can be moved or mixed. Microwaves strike and heat materials that are highly susceptible to microwave heating. The susceptible materials are on, within, or near materials that melt or change shape in response to temperature increases. Upon microwave irradiation, these materials change shape (e.g., shrink or melt), causing the movement of liquids. The invention is important in many microfluidics applications, especially in biomedical analysis, where it is valuable to be able to move small volumes of liquids (e.g., on a microarray chip).
本发明涉及一种可以移动或混合液体的新方法。微波会冲击并加热极易受微波加热影响的材料。易受微波影响的材料位于随温度升高而熔化或改变形状的材料上、材料内或材料附近。在微波照射下,这些材料会改变形状(如收缩或熔化),导致液体流动。本发明在许多微流体应用中非常重要,尤其是在
生物医学分析中,能够移动小体积的液体(例如在微阵列芯片上)非常有价值。