A New Design for Low Voltage Microfluidic Pumps (Pulse Driven Electro-osmotic Pumps with 3D Configuration for Uniform Size Microelectrodes)

Authors

Nathan Ives, Brigham Young University
Dr. Aaron Hawkins, Brigham Young University

Keywords

low voltage microfluidic pumps, microelectrodes, DC pulse

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to test a new design for low voltage microfluidic pumps. Mechanical pumps are sometimes too large, unreliable, or difficult to integrate in lab-on-a-chip applications. DC electro-osmosis is unsuitable for many biomedical and portable applications due to the high voltages needed. AC electro-osmosis has been proposed as an alternative because of the lower voltages it requires to pump fluids1, 2. Our design uses a 3D configuration for microelectrodes with alternating DC pulses that should produce a more linear flow of fluid and prevent “eddies” that occur in other ACEO pump designs3. This should result in faster pumping velocities.

Recommended Citation

Ives, Nathan and Hawkins, Dr. Aaron (2013) "A New Design for Low Voltage Microfluidic Pumps (Pulse Driven Electro-osmotic Pumps with 3D Configuration for Uniform Size Microelectrodes)," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1903.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1903