Development and characterization of magnetic micropumps

• Main Author: Yang, Yueze
• Other Authors: Nguyen Nam-Trung
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Manufacturing::Product engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/40539
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this report, the novel idea of using a magnetic elastomer by mixing Polyimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with ferrofluid will be investigated. A literature review of various key concepts will be explained to give a clear understanding of the project. The mixture will be made into a membrane by spin coating onto a piece of silicon wafer. Subsequently elastomer was characterized by subjecting it to a magnetic field and the deflection was recorded at various lengths. The next part of the project was attaching the elastomer to the micropump‟s chamber using adhesive. The elastomer was used as the mode of actuation for the fluid across the chamber. The micropump was fabricated using Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bonded together by an adhesive layer where the design was laser onto. Magnets were attached to a shaft which was connected to a motor. When it was switched on, the shaft rotated, causing the periodic magnetization of the membrane. This resulted in the membrane moving up and down, causing the actuation of the fluid. The device was then put through a series of tests to ascertain the flow rate and backpressure by increasing the frequency via a DC power source. In addition relationship from these parameters were deduced and discussed. A smaller pump with the same design was also tested to see if the relationship of flow rate to frequency was similar to its bigger counterpart. This ensured the reliability of the design. Finally the report will be concluded by listing the future works that could be made to the development of the pump as well as the elastomer mixture.