An electrokinetically driven micro liquid piston for leak-tight gas pumping

Abstract

This paper presents a gas pumping technique demonstrating an electrokinetically driven liquid piston, which can provide a complete sealing in a microfluidic channel by fully wetting the inner surface without leaving any void spots. The liquid piston can push or pull a gaseous medium very effectively by not allowing any backflow. Successful leak-tight gas pumping with zero dead volume has been achieved.