کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
---|---|---|---|---|
543019 | 1450386 | 2012 | 6 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
This work concerns the development of a novel actuator based on water electrolysis for pumping use in microfluidic systems. The electrolysis is performed inside a confined reservoir integrated on a PCB substrate which is connected to a microchannel. During the electrolysis process, the generated gases within the enclosed structure lead to a significant pressure increase which can be employed in order to move a liquid inside the microchannel. In order to demonstrate the device’s principle of operation, water is driven through a meander microchannel structure which is connected at the output of an appropriate micro-tank; the effectiveness of employing electrolysis as an actuating principle has been investigated by monitoring the resulting pressure increase for a device with a larger reservoir. Furthermore, the operation of such a device as a micro-pump was successfully demonstrated by extracting the resulting flow-rate experimentally; the obtained results from the first prototype are clearly promising.
Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A PCB integrated actuator based on electrolysis was fabricated and employed as a micro-pump.
► A large pneumatic pressure increase at the device’s outflow has been recorded.
► The resulting flow rate ranges from 20 μL/min to 135 μL/min.
► The device combines simplicity, reduced fabrication time and cost and direct electrical communication to the macro-world.
Journal: Microelectronic Engineering - Volume 95, July 2012, Pages 65–70