Design, Fabrication and Testing of a Nozzle/Diffuser PDMS Micropump with Top Actuation

Micropumps with varying nozzle-diffuser geometry and actuations are being explored for many drug delivery applications. Power consumption and reliability become very critical in the realization of these micropumps. In this study, the performance of a micropump consisting of three nozzle/diffuser elements designed and fabricated from PDMS material and actuated on top by a reciprocal motor was evaluated. The performance characteristics related to the flow rate obtained from testing demonstrated the efficiency of the micropump. The results obtained illustrate the relationship between actuation frequency and fluid flow through the micropump. The effects of fluid viscosity and actuator location were also investigated and the results are presented and discussed.