Design, simulation and optimization of a novel DC electroosmotic micro-infusion pump

This paper illustrates the design, numerical simulation and optimization of a novel microfluidic electroosmotic infusion pump with low voltage requirement and high flow rate. This micropump is equipped with four microelectrodes that are embedded in the curved side surfaces of the microchannel. The electrode array consists of two sets of microelectrodes in the shape of a quadrant of a circle arranged nearby the inlet and outlet. Inner microchannels through the micropump are placed in purpose of electroosmotic force improvement and flow rate increasing. Numerical analysis of inner microchannels effect on pumping efficiency is carried out by means of two sets of simulations. First, the width of the inner microchannels is kept constant at 20 μm while the length is varied within 0-210 μm. The highest achieved flow rate is 40.4 μl/min at 40 μm of inner microchannels length. Next, the length is kept constant at 110 μm whilst the width of the inner microchannels is swept within 12.5-240 μm. The best achieved pumping efficiency is 37 μl/min at 37.7 μm inner microchannels width.