Polymer based Actuator for nozzle-diffuser Pumps inPlastic Microfluidic Systems

摘要

Plastic casting is an inexpensive technique for fabrication ofdisposable microfluidic systems for various biochemicalapplications. Pumps are critical for these systems and have a widevariety of applications including transport, mixing, cooling andcreating pressure differences. In this paper we discuss thefabrication of a valve-less nozzle-diffuser pump integrated within aplastic microfluidic system. The pump uses thermal actuation,making use of the large volumetric expansion of a wax patch whenit transitions from a solid to liquid phase. Testing of fabricateddevices show maximum flow rates of 70 nl/min and generation ofpressure heads of up to 1400 Pa.