A microfluidic liquid stream configuration system is provided including providing a substrate; forming a first co-planar electrode and a second co-planar electrode on the substrate; applying a dielectric layer, with a controlled surface energy, on the first co-planar electrode and the second co-planar electrode; forming an input reservoir on the first co-planar electrode and a second co-planar electrode; supplying a liquid in the input reservoir for analysis; and imposing an electric field, an electric field gradient, or a combination thereof on the liquid for respectively driving surface charge or dipole moments in the liquid for configuring a liquid stream.