Active surface tension driven micropump using droplet/meniscus pressure gradient

Abstract

An active micropump with a simple layout and low power consumption has been designed, fabricated, and tested using droplet/meniscus pressure gradient actuated by electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD). By altering contact angle between liquid and solid vs. a change in electrical potential a pressure gradient was induced and a small droplet was pumped into the channel via a uniform flow rate. A surface tension based propellant method was introduced as a low energy consumption actuation method in microfluidic devices. In the proposed micropump with the constant and relatively low flow rate, electrolyte and non-electrolyte aqueous solutions could be propelled. © 2011 IEEE.