A novel type of micropump using SMA actuator for microflow application

In the medical field and in biotechnology, a new type of micropump that can supply micro liquid flow has urgently been demanded. It is our purpose to develop a type of micropump that has the characteristics of flexibility, driven by a low voltage, good response and safety in body. In this paper, we propose a new prototype model of a micropump using SMA (shape memory alloy) coil actuator as the servo actuator. This paper describes the new structure and the motion mechanism of a micropump using SMA actuator and discusses the possibility of the micropump. This micropump consists of two diffusers (inlet) as one-way valve, a pump chamber made of elastic tube, and a casing. The overall size of this micropump prototype is 16 mm in diameter and 74 mm in length. Characteristics of the micropump are measured. The experimental results indicate that the micropump has the satisfactory responses, and the proposed micropump is able to make a microflow and is suitable for the use in medical applications and in biotechnology.