Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.

Fluidic systems, modules, and associated methods are generally described. In some embodiments, a fluidic system comprises a module which is configured such that fluid may flow therethrough with a relatively uniform time-averaged linear flow rate (i.e., the time-averaged flow rate that is perpendicular to the transverse cross-sectional area) and/or time-averaged flux across the transverse cross-sectional area of the module. Advantageously, such modules may behave in a way such that the time-averaged linear flow rate and/or time-averaged flux exhibits minimal or no dependence on the transverse cross-sectional area thereof. This may allow for modules to be scaled-up in a relatively facile manner by merely increasing the transverse cross-sectional area, which may eliminate or substantially reduce the need for other components of the module to be redesigned upon scale-up. In some embodiments, modules may be scaled-up in a manner that requires no or minimal chemical process adjustments.

Disclosed herein are chemical actuators and ionic motive force transducers. The actuators and transducers are capable of converting an electrical stimulus into an ionic gradient within a reaction volume.