Development of efficient, compact and precise pumping method for Lab on a Disk Applications

Development of efficient, compact and precise pumping method for Lab on a Disk Applications (part of PCR on Disk Project)

We developed a novel concept for centrifugal pumping of fluid, harnessing the inertial braking forces in a microfluidic compact disk. Due to deceleration of the disk, torque and inertia forces are exerted on the bulk fluid that is coupled to momentum equation for rediction of the developed pressure that drives the liquid. Head losses in connecting channels are also calculated to predict the exact length which liquid travels in the centrifugal direction, and determine the volume of liquid transferred. Based on geometric and kinematic parameters, a differential equation is developed to accurately determine the travel length of the liquid and pumping exact volume of transferred liquid to the target chamber, in the centrifugal direction. This method enables exploiting maximum space of the disk and promises for a controllable, relatively cheap, compact and high-throughput passive method for relocation of liquids closer to disk center.

For furthure information please refer to J. Micromech. & Microeng. 29 (7)

This project is in progress with collaboration with Prof. Navid-Bakhsh