A Diffusor/Nozzle Pump Based on a Magnetically Actuated Flexible PCB Diaphragm ^†

Abstract

We present a valveless microfluidic pump utilizing an oscillating membrane made from a flexible printed circuit board. The microfluidic channel is fabricated by a 3D printing process and features diffuser/nozzle structures to obtain a directed flow; the flexible membrane is bonded to the channel. The membrane is actuated via Lorentz forces to accomplish out-of-plane motions and push the fluid through the channel. A permanent magnet provides the static magnetic field required for the actuation. The simple fabrication method can potentially be used for inexpensive mass fabrication for disposable devices.

1. Introduction

Microfluidic pumps are key elements in lab-on-a-chip devices (LOC) and micro total analysis systems (µ-TAS) to, e.g., transport an analyte to different analysis stages of the device. So called diffusor/nozzle pumps are commonly utilized for this task, which periodically push and pull the fluid through the channel. Complemented by a specific channel design, the periodic motion of the fluid is rectified resulting in a directed net flow.

Possible actuation approaches are diverse. Often oscillating membranes are utilized, which are actuated by piezo elements [1], magnets and electromagnetic coils [2,3,4], but also oscillating bubbles [5] are used for actuation. The diffusor/nozzle structures can be implemented via the channel geometry, but also open-porous foams with a gradient in pore size (which also adds a filtration function) are reported [6]. Our proposed design uses polyimide based flexible printed board (PCB) technology as one wall of the microfluidic channel, which is actuated using Lorentz forces to perform out-of-plane motions. The fabrication method is simple and cost effective, potentially enabling this setup to be used for disposable devices.

2. Materials and Methods

Diffusor/nozzle pumps are categorized as valveless pumps, as they do not require mechanical valves, which are usually complicated to fabricate in microfluidic systems. The flexible PCB performs periodically out-of-plane motions that squeeze the fluid through the channel during the downward motion of the membrane, and suck fluid through the channel during the upward motion. The periodic motion of the flow is rectified by diffusor/nozzle structures at the inlet and the outlet of the channel, which provide different hydraulic resistances depending on the flow direction generating a directed net flow in the course of the actuation cycles. Figure 1 shows a schematic of the microfluidic channel and its dimensions.

The 250 µm high microfluidic channel was fabricated by a 3D printing process (Stratasys Objet) and the flexible PCB (consisting of a 50 µm polyimide carrier and 35 µm thin copper traces) is bonded to the plastic channel using a double sided adhesive tape, where the outline of the channel was cut using a digital craft cutter. Figure 2a shows an explosion drawing of the whole assembly and Figure 2b the top and bottom view of the device (the microfluidic channel is filled with black ink).

Figure 3 shows a cut-plane through the length dimension of the assembly to illustrate the actuation of the membrane. A NdFeB permanent magnet (radius of 5 mm) provides a static magnetic field (as illustrated by the blue field lines in Figure 3). The copper traces of the PCB are routed in a way that they run right around the edge of the permanent magnet (see also red traces in Figure 1). Since the traces are close to the magnet, the magnetic field at the edge of the magnet points mainly in the x-direction (see coordinate system in Figure 3). In conjunction with the current flowing in y-direction, a Lorentz force acts on the PCB traces in z-direction according to

F = I(l × B),

(1)

where I is the electrical current, l the length of the traces and B the magnetic flux density. Since the setup is radial symmetric, the force acts all along the circumference mainly in z-direction.

3. Results

To test the device, pumping from one water filled reservoir to another was evaluated. To visualize the flow, the inlet connector was dipped into a basin filled with DI water and black ink (dark spot at the left side of Figure 4); the outlet connector was dipped into clear DI water. After applying a sinusoidal current with a peak value of 2 A and a frequency of 5 Hz, the black colored water is pumped from the left reservoir to the right one. Figure 4 shows snapshots of this process at different times after applying the current signal.

4. Discussion

We presented a diffusor/nozzle pump that uses an oscillating membrane made from a flexible PCB that is actuated by oscillating Lorentz forces. First tests proof the functionality of the design. Due to the simple fabrication process, the proposed device could be potentially used for mass fabrication (especially since most major PCB manufactures offer solutions including flexible materials), accompanied by the reduction of manufacturing costs, this design can be suitable for disposable devices.

Nest steps will include the evaluation of the optimal actuation frequency with respect to flow rate, a full characterization of the pump performance and the downsizing of the setup.