Magnetically Driven Pump for Solid-state Microfluidic Flow Control

Abstract:
Microfluidics is a rapidly developing field due to the many advantages offered by handling fluids in the microliter and nanoliter scale. This includes reduced volumes of samples and reagents used, quicker processing times and more precise and consistent results. A key requisite to exploit these advantages is fluid control at the nanoliter scale. Fluid handling systems that can accurately dose the volumes needed in microfluidics are underdeveloped, particularly options that are small and easy to manufacture. Some micropump options include capillary flow, electroosmotic, piezoelectric and peristaltic technologies. The magnetic shape memory (MSM) micropump is similar in principle to a peristaltic pump except that there are no mechanical parts such as gears or valves. The MSM material itself replaces the classical mechanical components found in traditional pumping mechanisms. The material is the machine.