Fluid flow study of an AC electrothermal micropump consisting of multiple arrays of microelectrodes for biofluidic applications

Alinaghi Salari; Colin Dalton

doi:10.1117/12.2076664

5 March 2015 Fluid flow study of an AC electrothermal micropump consisting of multiple arrays of microelectrodes for biofluidic applications

Alinaghi Salari, Colin Dalton

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9320, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XIII; 93200G (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2076664
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2015, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Electrokinetics has many applications in a wide range of areas, such as lab-on-a-chip and biomedical microdevices. The electrothermal effect has been used for biofluid delivery systems since it has high pumping efficiency for high conductive liquids (>0.1 S/m) compared to other electrokinetic techniques such as electroosmosis. AC electrothermal (ACET) micropumps are based on the temperature gradient caused by Joule heating or an external heat source, which generates permittivity and conductivity gradients in the bulk of the liquid. When the liquid is subjected to an electric field, the ACET force is created. Electrode geometry significantly affects the electric field distribution, which can yield stronger ACET forces. Previously electrode dimension optimization has been performed for a single-array coplanar asymmetric configuration in order to obtain maximum ACET velocities. In this paper we expand the study to other governing parameters in a multiple-row microelectrode array configuration consisting of microelectrodes placed on top, bottom, and/or side walls of a microchannel. The studied parameters are the substrate material and thickness, ambient temperature, fluid viscosity, and actuation frequency. Electrode dimensions remain constant during the study (120 μm wide and 20 μm thin electrodes, 20 μm gap). The study is performed using finite element analysis software for one pair of microelectrodes on each array with periodic boundary conditions. The simulation data is then compared with experimental data for a single combination of the aforementioned parameters. The results show that the effect of these parameters on ACET flow can be significant.

Citation Download Citation

Alinaghi Salari and Colin Dalton "Fluid flow study of an AC electrothermal micropump consisting of multiple arrays of microelectrodes for biofluidic applications", Proc. SPIE 9320, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XIII, 93200G (5 March 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2076664

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available