A microscale pulsatile flow device for dynamic cross-slot rheometry

The results show that the superposition of the mean flow of the syringe pump and an oscillatory flow of the diaphragm pump, is valid. A linear scaling of flow amplitude with frequency and driving voltage is found for frequencies up to 4 Hz, after which excessive damping takes place. The causes for this behavior are identified and explain the results well. With this information, amplitude scaling for sinusoidal flow waves of different frequencies can be performed. In conclusion, with the present system, pulsatile flow with a well-defined waveform and a dynamic range up to 16 Hz, can be created in an open-loop driven fashion.