Numerical investigation of flexible Purcell-like integrated microfluidic pumps (article)

Integrating miniature pumps within microfluidic devices is crucial for advancing point-of-care diagnostics. Understanding the emergence of flow from novel integrated pumping systems is the first step in their successful implementation. A Purcell-like elasto-magnetic integrated microfluidic pump has been simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics and its performance has been investigatedand evaluated. An elastic, cilia-like element contains an embedded magnet which allows for actuation via a weak, uniaxial, sinusoidally oscillating, external magnetic field. Pumping performance is correlated against a number of variables, such as the frequency of the driving field, and the proximity of the pump to the channel walls; in order to understand the emergence of the pumping behaviour. Crucially, these simulations capture many of the trends observed experimentally, and shed light on the key interactions. The proximity of the channel walls in the in-plane direction strongly determines the direction of net fluid flow. This characterisation has important implications for the design and optimisation of this pump in practical applications.