Accepted 3 January 2024 Published 5 February 2024 | Zebing Mao*, Naoki Hosoya2, and Shingo Maeda13
This study presents a flexible electrohydrodynamic (EHD) fluid-driven valveless water pump, which integrates valveless elements into the fluidic channel to propel immiscible aqueous liquids. The pump leverages the water-EHD interface to generate flow and uses a nozzle-diffuser system for reciprocation. The components are digitally fabricated and assembled, with the valveless parts created using laser cutting. A model is developed to predict flow rates, considering factors such as EHD pump asymmetry, pulse frequency, applied voltage, and structural parameters. Experimental results show that the pump can achieve flow rates of 20.39 ml/min and 11.51 ml/min in opposite directions at 10 kV. The pump's performance is validated through experiments and simulations, demonstrating good agreement. The device is applied to manipulate air bubbles and generate water-in-oil droplets, showcasing its potential in microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip applications. The pump's flexibility and controllability make it suitable for wearable fluidic systems, though challenges remain in terms of autonomy, portability, and scalability.This study presents a flexible electrohydrodynamic (EHD) fluid-driven valveless water pump, which integrates valveless elements into the fluidic channel to propel immiscible aqueous liquids. The pump leverages the water-EHD interface to generate flow and uses a nozzle-diffuser system for reciprocation. The components are digitally fabricated and assembled, with the valveless parts created using laser cutting. A model is developed to predict flow rates, considering factors such as EHD pump asymmetry, pulse frequency, applied voltage, and structural parameters. Experimental results show that the pump can achieve flow rates of 20.39 ml/min and 11.51 ml/min in opposite directions at 10 kV. The pump's performance is validated through experiments and simulations, demonstrating good agreement. The device is applied to manipulate air bubbles and generate water-in-oil droplets, showcasing its potential in microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip applications. The pump's flexibility and controllability make it suitable for wearable fluidic systems, though challenges remain in terms of autonomy, portability, and scalability.