An Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC)-Driven Linear Peristaltic Microfluidic Pump

Abstract

Microfluidic devices and micro-pumps are increasingly necessitated in many fields ranging from untethered soft robots, to pharmaceutical and biomedical technology. While realization of such devices is limited by miniaturization constraints of conventional actuators, these restrictions can be resolved by using smart material transducers instead. This paper proposes and investigates the first ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuator-driven linear peristaltic pump. With the aim of designing a monolithic device, our concept is based on a single IPMC actuator that is etched on both sides and cut with kirigami-inspired slits by laser ablation. Our pump has a planar configuration, operates with low activation voltages (< 5 V) and is simple to manufacture and thus miniaturize. We build proofof-principle prototypes of an open and closed design of our proposed pump concept, model the closed design, and evaluate both configurations experimentally. Results show the feasibility of the proposed IPMC-driven pump. Without any optimization, the open pump achieved pumping rates of 669 pL • s −1 , while the closed pump configuration attained a 4.57 Pa pressure buildup and 9.18 nL • s −1 pumping rate. These results indicate feasibility of the concept and future work will focus on design optimization.

Peristaltic micropump using polyvinyl chloride gels with micropatterned surface

“…Accordingly, various pumps based on smart materials have been developed. These smart materials include shape memory alloys (SMA) [5][6][7] , piezoelectric ceramics (PZT) 8,9 , dielectric elastomers (DE) [10][11][12][13] , polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) 14 , ionic polymer metal composites (IPMC) [15][16][17][18] , and conductive polymers (CP) 19 .As a smart material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel exhibits promising features for pumps. PVC gels are normally synthesized by mixing PVC resins and liquid plasticizes (e.g., dibutyl adipate), and they typically have a sheet-like form [20][21][22] .…”

“…Accordingly, various pumps based on smart materials have been developed. These smart materials include shape memory alloys (SMA) [5][6][7] , piezoelectric ceramics (PZT) 8,9 , dielectric elastomers (DE) [10][11][12][13] , polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) 14 , ionic polymer metal composites (IPMC) [15][16][17][18] , and conductive polymers (CP) 19 .…”

Low‐Voltage Driven Ionic Polymer‐Metal Composite Actuators: Structures, Materials, and Applications

“…In addition to the engineering applications, IPMCs have also been proposed for medical devices or biomedical applications because of their unique stimulus-response actuation performance. [134][135][136][137][138] Guo et al proposed the application of an ionic actuator as a guide for microcatheter with two degrees of freedom in the front section as servo actuators, and the results showed that IPMC was applicable to intracavity operations. [139] Lu et al prepared a MDOF IPMC active catheter by an electrode splitting technique, aiming to obtain the deformation capability in 3D space.…”

“…[140] Sideris et al designed an IPMC-operated linear peristaltic pump, which could achieve a pumping rate of 669 pL s −1 (open pump). [137] Moreover, a capsule-like robot that can be used for endoscope diagnosis was proposed, using IPMCs as actuators. [138] Interventional catheters, peristaltic pumps, and capsule robots are key research areas for IPMC medical applications.…”

A comprehensive survey of ionic polymer metal composite transducers: preparation, performance optimization and applications

“…A cantilever IPMC is used as a driver to increase the deformation of the valve, thereby improving the performance of the micropump. Wang et al integrated an inner petalshaped IPMC as an actuating diaphragm into micropump [Figure 11H], improving the performance of micropump [178] . Besides, some other configurations for micropumps have also been proposed.…”