Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the shape and/or position of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus, the apparatus comprising a volume for containing and directing fluid, the filling direction being a downstream direction, including the meniscus and the volume having at least a first structure defining a capillary pressure barrier along which the meniscus tends to align, the capillary pressure barrier and the meniscus defining a boundary in the volume between at least two sub-volumes,wherein (a) the capillary pressure barrier is stabilized by subtending at both ends an angle with a wall of the volume that on the downstream side of the capillary pressure barrier is greater than 90°, while not providing a deliberate fluid alignment weakness along the capillary pressure barrier that reduces the stability of the capillary pressure barrier and/or (b) wherein the capillary pressure is stabilized by providing a stretching barrier at a distance less than the maximum stretching distance of the fluid-fluid meniscus upon alignment along the capillary pressure barrier in the absence of the stretching barrier, (c) the capillary pressure barrier is stabilized by subtending at one end an angle with a wall of the volume that on the downstream side of the capillary pressure barrier is greater than 90°, and at the other end is stabilized by providing a stretching barrier at a distance less than the maximum stretching distance of the fluid-fluid meniscus upon alignment along the capillary pressure barrier in the absence of the stretching barrier; wherein the stretching barrier is shaped such that at least one directional component is orthogonal to the capillary pressure barrier.

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First Claim