a method and apparatus for addressing and driving an electrode array includes addressing one or more electrodes within the array using a plurality of row and column lines . in one aspect , a value corresponding to a voltage is stored in a local memory associated with each electrode . the addressed electrodes are then driven at the voltages corresponding to the stored values . in another aspect of the method , a driving element associated with each addressed electrode is selectively coupled with a voltage line so as to charge the electrode with the voltage on the voltage line . the device and methods may be used in the synthesis of biopolymers such as oligonucleotides and peptides .