An apparatus for driving small volumes of fluid. The apparatus comprises a
substrate and a first array of electrically conductive electrodes formed
on the substrate. A second array of electrically conductive electrodes
formed on the substrate, the first and second array being interlaced and
being arranged such that each of the electrodes in the second array has a
width in a fluid driving direction which is greater than that of each of
the electrodes in the first array and such that the first and second set
electrodes are positioned so that each of the electrodes of the first set
is not at a position equidistant from adjacent electrodes of the second
set, wherein both of the arrays of the arrays of electrode having widths
in the fluid flow direction and thickness selected such that, in use, by
varying the peak value of an alternating drive voltage applied thereto
the direction of flow of a fluid adjacent to the arrays of electrodes can
be controlled.