Selecting a working fluid to increase the efficiency and flow rate of an EHD pump

The ultimate flow rate and velocity of an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump with a given length and depth are determined by the material properties of the working fluid. High dielectric constant, and low viscosity lead to high flow velocities, while low conductivity and mobility promote high efficiency. A fundamental model of EHD pumping is formulated to account for the material properties of the working fluid, and is applied to several experimental pumps reported earlier, with generally good agreement. An example of the use of this model to select a working fluid for a typical pump suggests several new liquids suitable for EHD pumping