A circular ac magnetohydrodynamic micropump for chromatographic applications

A circular ac magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) micropump for chromatographic purposes has been developed. The device consists of a glass–gold-laminate–glass sandwich structure, with the channel structure defined in the electroformed gold layer. Channels were 200 μm wide and 30 μm high. Experimental details on the manufacturing of the device and the optimisation of the setup are presented. Reversible flow of maximally 40 μm s−1 has been obtained. The flow speed attained and the small channel height make the device in principle suitable to perform circular chromatography.