This microfluidics chip, called M13, is currently being delevoped by Microchip Biotechnologies as a device that can mix extremely small amounts of fluids and perform hundreds of chemistry experiments in parallel. This prototype was developed to test various mixing methods. Here is a shot of one of the mixing sections. You can see that in this example, blue and red liquids are forced through tiny serpentine channels to make a purple liquid.

I created this CGI demonstration of the operation of the chip to show people how it works. The rendering of the video was the longest that I have experienced. We had around 6 computers going over-night for about a week to finish the 2.5 minute video. It took so long because the chips were rendered with all raytracing effects produced by the glass material, such as reflections and refraction. The following images show the glass material.

While the operation of the actualy chip is a bit different, you can get a general idea of how it works by watching the video below. A flexible membrane acts as a pump when deformed properly and with the right timing.