A Chip That Creates Microscale Vortices in Water and Mimics Biochemistry

by Magnus Willander et al. SPIE Newsroom, accessed 17 May 2006 An electrolyte transistor -- essentially a chemical device that controls the flow of electricity -- could help scientists understand and explore the chemical activity between small numbers of molecules. The device could be used in demanding areas such as the sensing of substances from the human body, applications where basic and applied scientists need smart, sensitive, and selective devices that operate in real time. In wet chemistry, for instance, our electrolyte transistor allows micro- and nanoscale observations of reactants forming products. In addition, the platform described here can control dynamic conditions, stirring aqueous reactants by creating microscale vortices for example. Read more