To dissipate the high heat generated in microprocessors and electronic components, electrohydrodynamic (EHD) micropumps are often used. An EHD system involves the interaction of a flow field and an applied electric field; specifically, an ion- drag EHD micropump uses the interaction of an electric field with electric charges, dipoles or particles embedded in a dielectric fluid in order to generate a net flow. These EHD micropumps, require high voltage to drive the fluid, and as a result have not gained wide application. This study presents a systematic analytical method of reducing the high voltage requirement. The approach is to select a dielectric material such that flow rate is maximized with low electric potential. It is known that the dielectric maximum velocity is a function of the dielectric potential, dielectric permittivity, and viscosity. In this paper, a flow rate is assumed to be sufficient. The electric potential is decreased by selecting the appropriate fluid. Fluid of high permittivity and low viscosity will enhance the potential factor there by, decreasing the potential.
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