The pumping of an aqueous electrolyte by means of an asymmetrically placed thermal resistor and electrodes is investigated in this work. This device has no moving parts and provides a continuous and controllable pulsating flow, which make it a very attractive and viable option for use on lab-on-a-chip devices. The electric field induced modulation provides a higher degree of control on the mass flow rate, by means of which one can achieve on-the-fly mass flow rate control. The pumping action is achieved by means of a high-pressure bubble generated by actuating a thermal resistor which is located asymmetrically between two reservoirs. The ends of the channel are connected to fluidic columns. The combined action of an applied electric field and a faster refilling of the shorter arm after bubble collapse essentially drive a net amount of electrolyte through the system. We study the influence of the geometric parameters like the location of the heater, channel width and the channel length apart from the physiochemical parameters like the Debye length and the applied field strength on the mass flow rate achieved through this device.
Electrokinetic Maneuvering of Bubble-Driven Inertial Micro-Pumping Systems
Aditya BandopadhyayRelated information
, Kaustav ChaudhuryRelated information
1 Advanced Technology Development Center, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur - 721302, India
, Uddipta GhoshRelated information2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur - 721302, India
, Debashis PalRelated information2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur - 721302, India
, Suman ChakrabortyRelated information
Published Online: September 05, 2014
Abstract