Optimization design of multi-material micropump using finite element method

This paper presents a micropump fabricated from low cost materials with specific goal of cost reduction. The micropump does not require any valve flap and comprises one plastic pump polyether–ether–ketone (PEEK) body, one metal diaphragm, and three piezoelectric ceramics to form piezoelectrically actuated diaphragm valves. The valve actuation simplifies micropump structural designs and assembly processes to make the pump attractive for low cost bio-medical drug delivery applications. A detailed optimization design of geometric parameters of the piezoelectrically actuated diaphragm is undertaken by use of 3D finite element method (FEM) to maximize piezoelectric actuation capability and ensure actuation reliability. An optimized geometric dimensional design: the ratio of thicknesses between the piezoelectric ceramics and the metal diaphragm, and the lateral dimension of the piezoelectric ceramic, is obtained through simulations. Based on the optimized design, a good agreement has been reached between simulated and measured strokes of the micropumps. The tested results show that the micropump has a high pump flow rate for air, up to 39 ml/min, and for water, up to 1.8 ml/min, and is capable of ensuring diaphragm’s maximum stress and strain is within material strength for reliable work.