Issue 11, 2006

Theoretical prediction of fast 3D AC electro-osmotic pumps

Abstract

AC electro-osmotic (ACEO) pumps in microfluidics currently involve planar electrode arrays, but recent work on the underlying phenomenon of induced-charge electro-osmosis (ICEO) suggests that three-dimensional (3D) geometries may be exploited to achieve faster flows. In this paper, we present some new design principles for periodic 3D ACEO pumps, such as the “fluid conveyor belt” of ICEO flow over a stepped electrode array. Numerical simulations of these designs (using the standard low-voltage model) predict flow rates almost twenty times faster than existing planar ACEO pumps, for the same applied voltage and minimum feature size. These pumps may enable new portable or implantable lab-on-a-chip devices, since rather fast (mm s−1), tuneable flows should be attainable with battery voltages (<10 V).

Graphical abstract: Theoretical prediction of fast 3D AC electro-osmotic pumps

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Jun 2006
Accepted
08 Aug 2006
First published
04 Sep 2006

Lab Chip, 2006,6, 1455-1461

Theoretical prediction of fast 3D AC electro-osmotic pumps

M. Z. Bazant and Y. Ben, Lab Chip, 2006, 6, 1455 DOI: 10.1039/B608092H

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