Driving multilayer PDMS based peristaltic pump with laser pulses

We have demonstrated a novel pulse laser driven peristaltic pump based on widely used multilayer PDMS channels without using any mechanical or electrical interconnects for fluid pumping. It is realized by scanning tightly focused nanosecond laser pulses to induce rapidly expanding bubbles through laser induced water breakdown in the control channels. The expanding bubbles deform the thin PDMS membranes between the control and sample channels for fluid actuation. By synchronizing the dynamics of membrane deformation with laser pulsing, we can achieve a maximum pumping flow rate of 460 pl/s in a 16 μm high and 100 μm wide flow channel at a 557 Hz pumping frequency.