Low voltage driven surface micro-flow by Joule heating

Abstract

We report an electrically controlled micro-flow of liquid on Au-patterned glass surfaces with a driving voltage lower than 10 volts. The Joule heating produced by electrical current passing through the Au layer activates the selective wetting of liquids, performing complicated micro-flow control over pre-designed circuits. Transportation and serial dilution of the dye molecules in the liquid are further demonstrated.